A leading member of the Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey (GCAG), Prof Ransford Gyampo, has disclosed that the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah has invited them for a meeting to discuss their concerns.
Prof Gyampo said the invitation was communicated through a letter to the leadership of GCAG.
“I have just received a letter from the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources for a meeting on 25th June, 2025,” he disclosed on TV3’s KeyPoints.
According to Prof Gyampo, this follows a formal request made by GCAG for a meeting with President John Mahama.
In the letter making the request, dated June 9, copy of which is available to 3news, the two signatories, Dr Ken Ashigbey and Mr Daryl Bosu wrote, “This meeting, we believe, would offer us the opportunity to critically review progress made in the fight so far from the perspective of the Coalition relative to the National Pact Against Galamsey that Your Excellency signed before coming into office. Your role in this fight is crucial, and we need to strategize to achieve better results.
“To support evidence-based decision-making for well-targeted interventions in the fight, we would, at the pleasure of Your Excellency, be making a short presentation led by award-winning environmental investigative journalist Mr Erastus Asare-Donkor to inform your further directives to duty bearers responsible for combating illegal mining,” portions of the letter read.
In response, the Secretary to the President, Mr Callistus Mahama wrote to the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources thus, “The President of the Republic requests that you grant an audience to the members of the Coalition, as he is unable to meet with them in the immediate term. Please provide a report of your meeting for his attention and necessary action.”
In the reply to GCAG, also sighted by 3news, the Acting Chief Director of the Ministry, Mr Innocent Haligah stated, “Reference is made to your letter addressed to the Office of the President, with reference number GCAG/OoP/25/023 dated 9th June, 2025, concerning the subject matter above.
“In response, the Office of the President has instructed the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to engage with you regarding your request. Accordingly, you are hereby invited to attend a meeting at the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources on 25th June, 2025, at 11:00 am in the Ministry’s Conference Room.”
“If this is not the mark of a listening government, then what is? Prof Gyampo quizzed on June 21.
It is recalled that the Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey, on June 19, expressed concern over what it describes as the government’s insufficient commitment to addressing the illegal mining crisis, commonly known as galamsey.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, June 19, 2025, the coalition’s convenor, Kenneth Ashigbey, urged the government to urgently repeal L.I. 2462, the legislative instrument that permits mining in forest reserves. He warned that its continued enforcement poses a significant threat to the country’s environmental sustainability.
“We will not accept an amendment that serves the interests of a few individuals while ignoring the nation’s wellbeing. L.I. 2462 must be revoked and with urgency,” Ashigbey declared.
In a push to ensure accountability, the coalition is also demanding a full investigation and prosecution of politically exposed persons suspected to be involved in or enabling galamsey operations.
Ashigbey referenced the Akomfere confrontation, where police officers allegedly shielded Chinese nationals engaged in galamsey. He described the incident as not only a sign of complicity among law enforcement agencies but also a disgrace to national security institutions that appear to favour foreigners committing environmental crimes.
“We demand an immediate and transparent investigation into this incident. All complicit officers from the district to regional command must be interdicted and prosecuted,” he insisted.
The coalition further called on the government to abandon any attempts to justify illegal mining on grounds of unemployment or revenue generation.
In support of the movement, Senyo Hosi, Convenor of the One Ghana Movement, urged citizens to rise up and protect Ghana’s natural resources, framing the fight against galamsey as a shared national responsibility.
Read also: Full text: 5 demands by the Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey
