Ghana Federation of Labour blames chiefs for rising illegal mining activities

The Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL) has accused some traditional chiefs of contributing to the surge in illegal mining, known locally as “galamsey,” across the country.

According to the Federation’s Secretary General, Mr. Abraham Koomson, traditional leaders hold custodial authority over their lands and therefore have the power to stop such destructive activities within their jurisdictions. He suggested that some chiefs may be directly or indirectly benefiting from illegal mining operations.

Speaking in an interview with Modern Ghana News, Mr. Koomson described galamsey as a national menace and a “modern-day enemy” that traditional rulers must actively confront. He criticised chiefs who, despite claiming to possess power, have failed to protect their lands and environment from exploitation.

“Chiefs should not hide under the excuse of waiting for politicians to act, when in reality, without their own action, politicians cannot succeed. Where is your power if you cannot protect your ancestral lands from foreigners and your subjects who have decided to destroy the land and ancestral heritage?” he asked.

He noted that illegal mining has caused extensive harm to Ghana’s environment, including water pollution, deforestation, and the loss of biodiversity. He urged civil society organisations, labour unions, and the media to hold chiefs accountable for their roles in allowing or tolerating galamsey in their areas.

Mr. Koomson specifically called on the Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey (GCAG) to direct its focus toward traditional leaders who are complicit in or turning a blind eye to the illegal mining trade. “We must work together to expose chiefs who pretend not to see the damage but expect politicians to solve the problem,” he stressed.

While condemning complicit chiefs, Mr. Koomson commended those who have made their jurisdictions “no-go areas” for galamsey operations.

He also called for consistent enforcement of anti-galamsey laws and urged the government to collaborate with traditional leaders, local communities, and civil society to find sustainable solutions. Providing alternative livelihoods, he said, would help reduce the economic reliance that drives people toward illegal mining.

Mr. Koomson emphasised that the fight against galamsey requires a united and coordinated effort from all stakeholders — traditional leaders, government, civil society, and the public — to protect Ghana’s natural resources and ensure sustainable development.