A Justice of the Court of Appeal and Dormaahene Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyeman Badu II has asserted that illegal mining usually referred to as ‘galamsey’ has reduced due to the measures instituted by the current government.
Speaking to journalists at the Jubilee House after he was sworn in as Court of Appeal Judge on Thursday, October 2, 2025, he explained that the introduction of the blue water guards has helped curbed mining on water bodies in the country.
He also referenced the nine forest reserves which the current administration claims to have reclaimed from illegal miners as part of the reduction in galamsey under the Mahama administration.
Although he admits that the canker is still causing havoc to the environment, Dormaahene rallied Ghanaians to support government to nip the menace in the bud.
“I have been on this stool for almost 26 and half years. The illegal mining did not start yesterday, it has been with us for some time. If you ask me about my assessment, I will say now, it (galamsey) is going down. If you look at some of the steps that have been taken, before we were not hearing about the people in blue, the water guards and all that, we were not hearing all that, people have invaded the forest reserve, (before) we were not seeing that.
“Before this regime came, I know for a fact because of the work that I do, nine forest reserves have been taken over, now that situation has been curbed down,” he said.
He appealed to all Ghanaians to join efforts to contribute to the fight against galamsey.
“I wouldn’t stand here to say that galamsey is gone, it is still with us but I believe that if you look at the seriousness now, I want to encourage whoever is in charge, the Minister for Lands, government, the people of Ghana that we should ensure that we nip this situation in the bud,” he added.
He warned that he will not spare anybody caught engaging in illegal mining in his community (Dormaa).
I want to assure the people of Dormaa that so far as I am concerned, once you are there be sure that one day you will be caught…I am calling on all Ghanaians, this is the only thing our ancestors left for us, we don’t have to destroy the water bodies and cocoa farms,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, President Mahama will meet civil society organisations (CSOs) for an engagement on the illegal small-scale mining (Galamsey) to find a lasting solution to the menace.
The meeting will be held on Friday, October 3, 2025, at 12:00 noon.
A letter issued by Dr Callistus Mahama, Secretary to the President, the dialogue will serve as a platform for frank and constructive discussions aimed at harnessing 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.
Galamsey fight: It’s not yet time to declare state of emergency – Dormaahene
