Ghana’s fight against illegal mining continues to intensify as the government steps up efforts to sanitise the sector.
The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Armah Kofi Buah, has disclosed that since January 2025, a total of 1,345 individuals have been arrested across the country for their involvement in illegal mining, commonly referred to as galamsey.
Speaking during the Government’s Accountability Series on Wednesday, Mr. Buah highlighted the scale of the clampdown and the progress being made with prosecutions.
“We have also made 1,345 arrests nationwide since we started, and prosecutions are steadily progressing,” he stated.
The minister also outlined the volume of equipment seized during operations aimed at dismantling illegal mining operations and restoring sanity to the sector.
“177 excavators have been seized, four bulldozers, 12 vehicles, 43 motorcycles, 155 pumping machines, 184 chanfan machines, 15 dictator machines, and 10 heavy-duty generators have all been seized,” he revealed.
Mr. Buah emphasized that the government’s approach is rooted in sustainability and fairness.
“These measures are all aimed at sanitising the mining sector to ensure transparency and sustainable operations,” he added.
The update comes amid growing public concern over the environmental destruction caused by illegal mining, especially in forest reserves and water bodies.
