Galamseyers will be name and shamed- Elikem Kotoko
Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, Elikem Kotoko, has issued a strong warning to illegal miners, urging them to immediately cease operations as government steps up its crackdown on galamsey.
His comments follow an alarming alert from the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), which recently revealed that traces of mercury, a toxic heavy metal have been found in commonly consumed local products such as turmeric and cereal mixes like Tom Brown.
The contamination is believed to be linked to unregulated illegal mining activities, sparking fresh concerns over public health and food safety.
In response, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has ordered the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations (NAIMOS) Task Force to escalate enforcement efforts and deal decisively with offenders.
Appearing on Breakfast Daily on Channel One TV on Monday, September 29, 2025, Mr. Kotoko warned that political or social influence would no longer shield perpetrators from accountability.
“Permit me to say that from this week onwards, if you are engaged in this enterprise, it is best you put a stop to it. This is because there will be naming and shaming, and it doesn’t matter who you are, where you belong, or who you know,” he said.
Mr. Kotoko also stressed the importance of traditional leaders in the ongoing fight, highlighting the influence of Ghana’s land tenure system.
“We all agree that our traditional authorities play a major role because of our land tenure system. So, the NAIMOS have been told to further engage with these traditional leaders. This is to make sure it is not seen as a political move where a politician has to intervene,” he said.
He explained that NAIMOS will lead community-level engagements and provide opportunities for voluntary compliance. However, failure to act on violations will result in military intervention where necessary.
The government’s intensified efforts reflect a broader strategy that frames illegal mining not just as an environmental issue, but as a direct threat to public health, national food security, and the safety of everyday consumer products.
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