Investigative journalist Erastus Asare Donkor has delivered a scathing critique of Ghana’s prolonged and largely unsuccessful fight against illegal mining, insisting that political interference—not ignorance or lack of capacity—is the single biggest obstacle crippling the nation’s efforts.
Delivering a keynote address at CDD-Ghana’s 20th Kronti Ne Akwamu lecture on Thursday, November 27, he said that, despite clear laws governing environmental protection, the state has consistently failed to enforce them due to political interests that override national welfare.
According to him, Ghana does not lack legislation, knowledge, or institutions required to confront galamsey; instead, “inconsistency, political interference, and lack of accountability” continue to undermine every intervention introduced over the years.
“Mr. Chairman, there is something fundamentally wrong in our quest to fight the wanton destruction of our forests and water bodies. I find it difficult to understand why it has become difficult to protect a resource governed by specific laws,” he stated.
Mr Asare Donkor questioned why political leaders, especially those at the local level, struggle to simply tell their constituents the truth and uphold the law when illegal miners demand protection.
He cited several state-led initiatives, including Galamstop, Operation Vanguard, Operation Halt I & II, and other ad hoc task forces, all of which he said were systematically weakened by behind-the-scenes political meddling.
“All these interventions faced one big challenge: political interference. They were micromanaged by politicians with vested interests in the very canker they were fighting. I call it the betrayal from within,” he said.
He noted although the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) begun some remarkable enforcement activities, sweeping across, illegal mining camps along some major water bodies, the team faces similar challenges, from party executives, MPs, big party financiers – and even some local government heads, who intervene on behalf of nature criminals and continue to fight against law enforcement efforts.
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