The spokesperson for Ghana's Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Paa Kwesi Schandorf, has disputed claims by social activist Oliver Barker-Vormawor that the country has lost the fight against illegal mining, known as galamsey. On October 1, Barker-Vormawor stated that Ghana had "lost the fight" against galamsey and urged Ghanaians not to believe what he termed as propaganda. Schandorf responded on October 2, arguing that the persistence of illegal mining does not necessarily mean that efforts to combat it have failed.
Schandorf emphasized that the scale of environmental damage accumulated over several years would require sustained enforcement, policy changes, and time to reverse. He noted that the government is aware that galamsey remains a significant challenge and has not assumed that the problem has disappeared. According to Schandorf, the government is actively working to address the issue, citing measures such as tighter controls on excavator imports and tracking registered excavators.
The Lands Ministry reported that authorities had seized or immobilized 1,724 changfan machines used in illegal mining as of July 2026. Schandorf pointed to these efforts as evidence that the fight against galamsey is ongoing. He acknowledged, however, that enforcement activities should ultimately lead to tangible improvements in Ghana's rivers, forests, and mining communities.
Schandorf stressed that Ghanaians will judge the success of the fight against galamsey by the tangible changes in their environment and communities, rather than the number of meetings held, policies announced, or operations conducted. He expressed his familiarity with the government's efforts, citing his close involvement in the work, including meetings, operations, and policy reviews.
Barker-Vormawor's declaration that Ghana had "lost the fight" against galamsey sparked a reaction from Schandorf, who rejected the claim. Schandorf's response was published in an opinion piece on October 2, where he argued that the fight against galamsey is not lost. The exchange highlights the ongoing debate about the effectiveness of Ghana's efforts to combat illegal mining.
The issue of galamsey has significant environmental and social implications for Ghana. The government's efforts to address the problem have been ongoing, with a focus on enforcement, policy changes, and community engagement. Schandorf's response suggests that the government remains committed to tackling the issue, despite the challenges.
The dispute between Schandorf and Barker-Vormawor underscores the complexities of addressing galamsey in Ghana. While Barker-Vormawor believes that the fight is lost, Schandorf argues that progress is being made. The government's efforts to combat galamsey will likely continue to be a topic of discussion and debate in Ghana.
Key points
- Schandorf disputes Barker-Vormawor's claim that Ghana has lost the fight against galamsey.
- The government has implemented measures to combat galamsey, including controls on excavator imports and tracking registered excavators.
- Authorities have seized or immobilized 1,724 changfan machines used in illegal mining as of July 2026.
