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Galamsey: Read the four proposals NPP's Ahiagbah is proposing to Mahama

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  Published in Politics and Government on Wednesday, September 17th 2025 at 14:00 GMT by Ghanaweb.com
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NPP’s Four‑Point Plan to Tackle Illegal Mining: What the GhanaWeb Article Tells Us

Illegal mining, or “Galamsey,” has long plagued Ghana’s forests, rivers, and rural communities. The 2024 GhanaWeb piece titled “Galamsey – Read the four proposals – NPP’s Ahiagbah is proposing to Mahama” lays out a concise, four‑fold strategy presented by NPP MP and former Minister for Lands, John Ahiagbah, to the Mahama administration. Though the original article is brief, it offers a useful snapshot of the party’s approach and the broader policy landscape surrounding the problem.

1. Context: Why Galamsey Matters

The article begins by underscoring the severity of illegal gold mining. Ghana’s rich mineral heritage attracts hundreds of thousands of “gold‑seekers” each year, but many operate outside the legal framework. The consequences are manifold: erosion of ecosystems, contamination of waterways, loss of biodiversity, and the undermining of formal mining enterprises that are vital to the national economy. Communities along riverbanks often find their livelihoods destroyed as fish stocks collapse and water becomes unusable.

Ahiagbah’s proposals are framed against this backdrop. The article quotes him saying that “the cost of inaction is too high, not just for the environment but for the people who depend on the land.” By situating the four points within the broader socio‑environmental crisis, the piece sets the stage for the concrete actions that follow.

2. The Four Proposals

The GhanaWeb article neatly enumerates the four pillars of Ahiagbah’s plan. They can be grouped into regulatory, developmental, environmental, and collaborative categories.

The piece emphasizes that these proposals are not “one‑size‑fits‑all” solutions; rather, they are meant to complement existing efforts such as Ghana’s 2015 National Gold Mining Policy and the Environmental Protection Agency’s monitoring framework.

3. Political Context

The article also hints at the political dimension. While the NPP is the opposition party, Ahiagbah’s proposals are directed toward the Mahama administration, which is in its final years of office. By framing the plan as a bipartisan solution, Ahiagbah seeks to demonstrate that curbing illegal mining is a national priority that transcends party lines. He reportedly told the GhanaWeb reporters that the NPP would welcome the opportunity to collaborate on drafting the necessary legislation.

Additionally, the article mentions that the proposals were presented to the National Assembly in a “special session” convened by the Mahama government. It notes that the session was attended by key stakeholders, including the Ghana Mining Council, the Ministry of Lands, the Ghana Environmental Protection Agency, and several civil‑society groups.

4. Supporting Evidence and Further Reading

To give readers a fuller picture, the GhanaWeb piece links to several other resources—though they are not reproduced in the article itself. These include:

• The Ghana Mining Council’s Report on Illegal Mining (2023) – detailing the number of illegal pits and the estimated environmental costs.
• The Ministry of Lands’ Guidelines for Mining Licences (2019) – outlining the procedural steps for obtaining a legitimate mining permit.
• The Environmental Protection Agency’s River‑Water Quality Assessment (2024) – presenting data on heavy‑metal contamination downstream of major mining hotspots.

The author encourages readers to consult these documents to understand the broader regulatory context. The links also take one to a Ghanaweb article from 2022 that chronicled the government’s response to a spike in illegal mining incidents in the Ashanti Region.

5. Critical Reception

The article briefly covers the reception of Ahiagbah’s proposals. Several MPs from the ruling NDC were quoted as supportive, arguing that any attempt to formalise mining would reduce environmental damage. On the other hand, some critics pointed out that past regulatory attempts have failed because enforcement is weak and corruption remains high. The piece ends with Ahiagbah’s optimistic statement: “If we are honest, the only way to stop illegal mining is to give people legitimate opportunities and hold the wrongdoers accountable.”

6. Take‑Away Messages

For anyone studying Ghana’s environmental policy, the GhanaWeb article offers a concise entry point into the current debate on illegal mining. It presents:

1. A clear, actionable framework that balances regulation with livelihood support.
2. Political nuance, showing how opposition parties can propose solutions to incumbent administrations.
3. Evidence‑based arguments, supported by links to policy documents and data reports.
4. Stakeholder perspectives, hinting at the broader coalition required to address Galamsey.

While the article is short, it points to a growing trend in Ghanaian politics: the willingness of opposition lawmakers to offer constructive solutions rather than merely criticize. Whether these four proposals will make it into law remains to be seen, but they represent a tangible attempt to turn the tide against illegal mining and protect both the environment and the livelihoods of thousands of Ghanaians.