President Akufo-Addo has established a five-member ministerial ad-hoc committee to evaluate the government’s strategies and actions in combating illegal mining, commonly referred to as "galamsey,".

The committee has been tasked with reviewing the effectiveness of current measures aimed at addressing the environmental damage caused by galamsey activities and to recommend any necessary improvements.

The committee, composed of senior government officials, will assess the policies implemented to curb illegal mining, as well as the challenges faced by law enforcement agencies and local authorities in their efforts to contain the menace.

Key areas of focus include reviewing the enforcement of mining regulations and determining the adequacy of resources provided to combat the environmental degradation caused by illegal mining.

Leading the committee is National Security Minister Albert Kan-Dapaah, who will be joined by Lands and Natural Resources Minister Samuel Abu Jinapor, Defense Minister Dominic Nitiwul, Employment Minister Ignatious Baffour Awuah, and Information Minister Fatima Abubakar. Their mandate includes examining the impact of illegal mining on the country’s natural resources and providing recommendations to enhance the government's ongoing anti-galamsey initiatives.

Meanwhile, Samuel Abu Jinapor, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, has dismissed recent calls for a blanket ban on small-scale mining as a solution to illegal mining. Citing the economic implications, Jinapor argued that such a ban could severely impact the country’s economy.

"Small-scale mining accounts for 40 percent of our gold output… our foreign exchange earnings will deplete by 40 percent. If you allow the ban tomorrow, it means that you will have to look at the consequences on the national economy, which will definitely be catastrophic," he explained in an interview on JoyNews.

The Minister highlighted the significant role of gold exports in Ghana's economic growth, with gold export revenue increasing by 46.4 percent to US$5.04 billion in the first half of 2024, according to the Central Bank of Ghana’s Monetary Policy Report. The report noted that the growth in gold and crude oil exports played a crucial role in the country’s provisional trade surplus of $1.81 billion during the same period.

Despite this economic progress, growing frustration over the environmental destruction caused by illegal mining has led to calls for stronger government intervention. The Trades Union Congress and several civil society groups have urged President Akufo-Addo to declare a state of emergency in affected mining regions. Organised Labour has also issued a warning of a nationwide strike by the end of September if the government fails to take decisive steps to halt the crisis.

Mr. Jinapor acknowledged the public outcry but cautioned against the potential social and economic instability that might arise from drastic actions like a state of emergency. He reassured the public that the government is committed to engaging with labour unions and civil society organizations to find effective solutions to the ongoing galamsey crisis, balancing environmental protection with economic stability.

The ministerial committee is expected to provide key insights and recommendations that will shape future government initiatives aimed at eliminating illegal mining and preserving Ghana's natural resources.