Francis Kwaku Poku, a former National Security Coordinator under the erstwhile John Agyekum Kufuor administration is calling for a halt in the blame game and attempts find scapegoats in the fight against illegal mining, also known as ‘galamsey’.
Speaking on TV3’s Agenda on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, Mr. Poku said the nation has not made any headway in fighting the menace because the most important things have been left out, with focus on the frivolities.
“We’ve got it wrong because we’ve focused on assigning blame and perpetually trying to find causes and scapegoats instead of solving the problem. We’ve come to a point where our very existence has become a very relevant issue.
“Let’s put the argument and blame game behind us and, as a nation, we now have to deal with the safety and extent of the problem,” he stated.
Galamsey has destroyed forest reserves in the country and polluted water bodies where turbidity levels cannot be treated by the Ghana Water Company Ltd., forcing them to shut down some of their treatment plants.
Recent research has revealed that soil in mining areas where galamsey is prevalent has been contaminated with chemicals such as mercury and cyanide, used by illegal miners, thereby affecting food produced in these areas.
According to the security expert, Ghana is heading towards a trajectory that will be damning if care is not taken. “In security terms, we’re heading towards an insurgency because we’re dealing with armed groups and a huge national budget if we want to solve the problem.”
Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama has invited major civil society organisations (CSOs) to the Jubilee House for a high-level engagement on the canker.
The meeting, scheduled for Friday, October 3, 2025, at 12:00 noon, will bring together government officials and civil society leaders to deliberate on lasting solutions to the environmental and social crisis caused by galamsey.
In a letter signed by Dr Callistus Mahama, Secretary to the President, the dialogue is described as a platform for “frank and constructive discussions” to harness collective expertise and perspectives.
“This engagement aims to provide a platform for frank and constructive dialogue between the Government and civil society on the menace of illegal mining, with a view to harnessing collective expertise, perspectives, and solutions to address this national challenge,” the letter stated.
The engagement comes at a time when illegal mining continues to spark widespread public concern over the destruction of water bodies, farmlands, and forest reserves, amid calls for stronger government action.
From Eric’s Diary: Galamsey- If only President Mahama could declare a state of emergency…
