President John Dramani Mahama has praised the works of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), the Environmental Protection Agency and River guards for their continuous fight against illegal mining commonly known as galamsey.
Speaking at the 77th Annual New Year School at the University of Ghana, President Mahama recounted his visit to Crown Forest over the Christmas period to illustrate the fight against illegal mining.
According to President Mahama, during his visit, he was told the Ayensu River’s colour has improved from coffee to light Milo and praised the works of NAIMOS, EPA and River Guards.
Speaking at the annual New Year School conference in Accra on Tuesday, January 6, the President stated, “It has so entered the fabric of our people that it’s not been an easy fight. Communities have attacked task forces when they go to enforce the ban on illegal mining,” he said.
Mahama, however, highlighted that despite the challenges, there have been positive results in the galamsey fight.
He added, “There are some positive results beginning to show. I want to encourage the task force, the Minister, the EPA, and all those involved in the fight against illegal mining, please don’t give up.”
“When you go to where they have the animals, you cross a stream. And before we cross the bridge, I asked them, which river is this? They said it was the Ayensu River,” he explained.
“And they said, if you had come here six months ago, this water was the colour of coffee. They say now is the colour of light milo. And so, and so it’s getting better. And so we appreciate the work that NIAMOS and the river guards are doing.”
“We’re implementing sustainable mining practices, protecting forests and water bodies, investing in renewable energy, and strengthening climate adaptation for vulnerable communities,” he stated.
Some Ghanaians reacting to Mahama’s comments stated, “The issues of galamsey are nowhere near improvement. It’s a serious ongoing issue. Visit Anyinam in the Atiwa East and see how badly people are destroying the Brim River in the name of searching for Gold”.
Another netizen added, “One area the govt had tried so hard but could not achieve the desired success per the promised and the plan is GALAMSEY. We are just doing the same things as the previous govt. We are not able to arrest the kingpins as promised, but rather the youth who have no resources. We failed”
“Why not ???? The country institutes a full new Agency As Ghana Coast Guard, the Ghana National Guard and decentralises the police Agency on regional policing autonomy, whereby policing could be further decentralised on district levels for more effective enforcement and efficiency???”, a netizen stated.
One more X user added, “So, have you been told that other rivers like the Ankobra are still coffee brown and even your backyard Bole Bamboi, there is galamsey going on massively? Shoddy work nor dey pay Mr president. Get your work”.
Additionally, a netizen wrote, “Please, Mr President, the nation needs Coast Guard Agency, A full operational maritime network that controls and manages the waterways navigational systems and their links to coastal beaches, whereby the Agency is also responsible for our clean beaches, safety beaches and narcotics control”.
Watch the video below:
President Mahama notes the Ayensu River's colour has improved from 'coffee' to 'light Milo,' praising anti-galamsey efforts by NAIMOS and River Guards.#3NewsGH #TV3GH pic.twitter.com/zMvIaoukvp
— #TV3GH (@tv3_ghana) January 6, 2026