Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture, John Dumelo, has pledged that in 2026, the fight against illegal mining (galamsey) will intensify, with stricter monitoring measures to safeguard Ghana’s food security.
He noted that ongoing efforts by NAIMOS and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources are progressing steadily, adding that illegal mining remains a major threat to agricultural production, particularly in galamsey-prone areas.
Dumelo assured the public of safe food production, emphasizing that measures are being scaled up to eliminate the negative impact of galamsey on farming.
“Galamsey has been a thorn in our flesh over the last couple of years, but we trust the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to tackle the issue. We’ve had several meetings with the Minister, and he has assured us that everything is under control. There’s no cause for alarm. By 2026, we will confront galamsey head-on, especially in cocoa-growing areas that are being destroyed,” he stated.
While inspecting road reconstruction works in Ayawaso West Wuogon on Tuesday, December 30, 2026, Dumelo highlighted the project as a reflection of his partnership with the community and his commitment to improving the constituency.
He pledged to intensify efforts in 2026 to ensure constituents receive value for their votes.
“One of my main campaign promises was to complete most of the road projects in Ayawaso West Wuogon, and this project is no different. MPs don’t construct roads directly, but we lobby for them. It’s a partnership between the community and myself to make Ayawaso West one of the best constituencies. My first year has been okay, but from 2026, I’m stepping up to deliver even more,” he said.
Highlighting the Feed Ghana Project, the Deputy Minister stressed that if well executed, it could position Ghana as a leading food hub in Africa, boosting exports and reducing reliance on imports.
He also outlined initiatives aimed at reducing poultry imports within three years, alongside heavy investments in irrigation to enable year-round farming.
“We want to ensure all-year-round farming is consistent with our agricultural policy. By 2026, we will construct more processing centres to address post-harvest losses and stabilize food supply,” he explained.
Dumelo encouraged Ghanaians to explore opportunities in agriculture, stressing that the sector holds immense potential for economic growth and national development.
