President John Dramani Mahama will today, Friday, October 3, host a high-level dialogue with civil society organisations (CSOs) and key stakeholders to deliberate on sustainable solutions to Ghana’s illegal mining challenge, widely known as galamsey.
The meeting will bring together major religious and civic groups, including the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, the Christian Council of Ghana, the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council, the Office of the Chief Imam, the Ghana Muslim Mission, Arocha Ghana, and IMANI Africa, among others.
According to Presidential Aide Dr. Sammy Ayeh, the engagement aims to create a platform for stakeholders to share perspectives and propose strategies that complement government efforts to combat galamsey.
“The purpose of the meeting is for government to receive feedback, strategies, and suggestions from these organisations and institutions to complement the efforts already in place. Since this administration took office, significant milestones have been achieved—from operational to legislative measures, including steps to repeal LI 2462, which had become a major source of contention,” he explained.
Dr. Ayeh stressed that while the government has stepped up reforms, collaboration with faith-based and civil society groups is vital. “The fight against galamsey is a collective one,” he said.
The decision to engage CSOs has attracted mixed reactions. Supporters view it as a constructive step that broadens participation in tackling an entrenched national problem. The Dormaahene, Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyeman Badu II, described the initiative as “a step in the right direction.”
Others, however, remain skeptical. Franklin Cudjoe, President of IMANI Africa, questioned the usefulness of repeated consultations, warning that over-reliance on dialogue could delay meaningful action.
The outcome of today’s meeting is expected to shape the next phase of the government’s anti-galamsey strategy, which remains one of the country’s most pressing environmental and governance challenges.
