By Eugene Davis
The Member of Parliament for Atiwa East, Abena Osei Asare, has called on government to adopt a more robust, well-coordinated, and adequately resourced strategy to confront the worsening threat of illegal mining.
Speaking during the debate on the 2026 budget estimates, she argued that the current allocation for anti-galamsey activities falls far short of what is required to make real progress. Without significant financial backing, she warned, the institutions mandated to protect Ghana’s natural environment will continue to operate under severe strain, leaving farmlands, rivers, and forest reserves increasingly vulnerable.
Hon. Osei Asare proposed the creation of a Galamsey Emergency Programme — a nationwide, fully financed framework designed to streamline interventions, enhance coordination among state agencies, and ensure dedicated logistics for field operations. She noted that the scale of the galamsey challenge demands a structured and well-managed national response, especially as the NDC government has signaled a renewed commitment to reversing environmental degradation under its broader natural resource governance agenda.
To maximise impact, the MP recommended leveraging existing institutional systems—such as the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) and other specialized offices—to support transparent resource allocation, eliminate operational overlaps, and strengthen monitoring of funds earmarked for anti-galamsey efforts. This, she said, would not only improve efficiency but also reinforce public trust in government-led interventions.
She emphasized that the consequences of illegal mining extend far beyond environmental loss, describing the crisis as a direct threat to public health, food security, and the long-term sustainability of Ghana’s water systems. These realities, she stressed, make it urgent for anti-galamsey measures to occupy a central place in the NDC government’s national planning and environmental recovery agenda.
Hon. Osei Asare concluded with a call for renewed political will and a scaled-up financial commitment, urging government to allocate “the right level of funding” to safeguard the country’s natural heritage for future generations.
