The Regional Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Tarkwa, Derick Ashia Logo, has called on the Chief in the area to invoke the gods against agaisnt illegal miners, commonly known as galamseyers.
According to Derick Ashia Logo, galamseyers have become so emboldened and now even pose threats to enforcement officers.
He asserted that illegal miners are not prepared to stop what they are doing, despite the enforcement efforts.
Derick Ashia’s logo highlighted that illegal mining sites are now heavily fortified, calling on Chiefs who are custodians of land and traditional authority to invoke the spirits in water bodies and in the forests against them.
Speaking in an exclusive interview, the Regional Director of the EPA in Tarkwa stated, “We have come to realise that as we do our enforcement and monitoring, when we speak to these galamseyers, they are not prepared to stop what they are doing. They are so emboldened that they have ammunition on site, and if you’re not well prepared, you can lose your life”.
“We believe that the chiefs who are custodians of the lands in these communities have the power to invoke the spirits in water bodies and in the forests. They should call their people together and let them know that anybody who goes into the water body or forest to mine without the appropriate permit should die,” he said.
“The government should come up with a policy. If you fail to protect the water bodies and forests and allow people to destroy them, you should be de-stooled. I believe no chief is prepared to be destooled, so they will have no reason but to help protect the water bodies and our forests,” he added.
Meanwhile, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, has disclosed that cooperative mining is Ghana’s most viable pathway to responsible small-scale mining and job creation.
According to the Lands Minister, the natural resources belong to Ghanaians, but it is incumbent on Ghana to employ mining methods that do not pose a threat to our environment.
He highlighted that mineral wealth must be harnessed in a manner that creates jobs while protecting the environment.
Kofi Buah detailed that the cooperative mining forms part of the government’s efforts to replace illegal and destructive mining practices, expressing concern over the devastating impact of illegal mining on Ghana’s natural resources.
The Lands Minister asserted that several forest reserves have been degraded, with major rivers and water bodies heavily polluted with harmful chemicals.
Speaking at the launch of the Akyem Kotoku Cooperative Mining Scheme in the Birim North District, the Lands Minister stated, “The natural resources belong to Ghanaians. It is incumbent on us to employ mining methods that do not pose a threat to our environment”.
The Lands Minister further announced that young people in Birim North would be trained and certified to engage in responsible mining, equipping them with the knowledge and skills required to operate safely, sustainably, and in compliance with regulations.
According to the Lands Minister, the programme would be inclusive, with no youth in the district left behind as the government works to expand opportunities within the small-scale mining sector.
He further disclosed that the success of the cooperative mining scheme will not only create employment and improve livelihoods but also help restore public confidence.
The Lands Minister also stressed that Ghana’s mining industry lies in balancing economic development with environmental protection, adding that cooperative mining provides a feasible framework for realising both objectives.
Member of Parliament for Ayawaso North, Hon. John Dumelo, was seen among residents of Christian Village, Dome, working to calm tensions after some angry residents threatened to block a bridge and prevent vehicles from passing.#GHNow pic.twitter.com/xWBDjyZvOz
— GHnow (@ghnow_) June 8, 2026
