There must be specialised laws to effectively tackle galamsey- Kwadwo Poku

By Emmanuella Sarfo-Ntow July 24, 2025

Energy analys, Kwadwo Poku, has called for the creation of specialised laws and courts to effectively tackle illegal mining, known as galamsey, warning that Ghana’s current legislation is failing to prevent illicit mining activities along river bodies and riverbanks.

Speaking on JoyNews’ AM Show, Mr. Poku argued that the country’s existing laws are insufficient to combat galamsey, stating, “We need special laws. The laws in our statute today do not fight galamsey. Our existing laws do not stop galamsey.”

Despite a ban on mining within a certain distance of riverbanks, enforcement remains weak, allowing illegal mining to persist unchecked.

Mr. Poku questioned the effectiveness of the justice system, asking, “When somebody is arrested mining in the river body or on the riverbanks where there is a law against it, what does the court do? What is the law?”

“Go to the port and see the number of excavators now stuck there. Do you think it’s the small-scale miners in the villages importing these machines? No,” he said.

Calling for stronger measures, Mr. Poku shared that he sent a message to Lands Minister Kofi Buah asking him to “Criminalise the owners of excavators and establish special courts and laws to prosecute illegal mining on river bodies and riverbanks.”

“If your excavator is found being used in illegal mining, you go to jail. That is how galamsey will disappear,” he added.

While acknowledging the efforts of local authorities, Mr. Poku expressed frustration over the lack of sustained enforcement at the grassroots level.

“When someone is caught engaging in illegal mining, authorities go to the villages. My sister Louisa Bissiw is doing all she can, but what happens after she arrests them? That is the problem,” he said.

Without swift legal reforms and enhanced enforcement, Mr. Poku warned that galamsey would continue to wreak havoc on Ghana’s environment and waterways.