The acting Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, has urged political leadership to take bold and far-reaching measures to bring an end to the galamsey menace in the country. 

He observed that illegal mining was getting worse as measures employed to combat galamsey activities seemed half-hearted and, therefore, unable to curb the menace, which had become an existential threat.

“Considering the unspeakable death, pain and destruction that galamsey has brought to this country, I urge political leadership to take bold and far-reaching measures to bring this menace to a long overdue end.

“We cannot continue to dither in September 2025, on the repeal of L.I. 2462 that has permitted mining in forest reserves. It is a good place to start if we sincerely want to win the war against galamsey.

“The time to act is now without any further delay,” the acting Chief Justice said in a speech read on his behalf by a Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Hafisata Amaleboba, at the Ghana Bar Association’s (GBA’s) annual conference in Wa in the Upper West Region last Monday.

Impact

Justice Baffoe-Bonnie further said that illegal mining had devastated the environment and continued to do so by polluting rivers, destroying forests and fertile farmlands, and degrading the soil.

Socially, he said, galamsey had not only contributed to the displacement of farmers, farmhands, and whole families as some farmlands had become mining sites.

Justice Baffoe-Bonnie said the situation had also increased poverty and diseases due to contamination of water and mercury exposure, impacting food security and livelihoods in some communities.

He added that economically, while providing some income, the environmental damage and shift from agriculture had led to higher living costs and lower food production in affected regions.

“How can we also forget the national security challenges brought about by the menace of galamsey due to the influx of miners often accompanied by foreign investors.

“The situation is linked to an increase in instances of robbery, violence, and other criminal activities in affected communities,” the acting Chief Justice added.

He quoted from one of the books of the celebrated Nigerian author, Chinua Achebe, which says, “The death that will kill a man begins as an appetite,” to further illustrate his point.  

Drug abuse

On drug abuse, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie called for the adoption of a multifaceted approach to address the challenge.

First, he said there was a need to educate the youth about the dangers of substance abuse, adding that schools, families and communities must also work together to provide accurate information and foster a culture of awareness.

The acting Chief Justice also said that stakeholders must be strengthened to support systems such as engaging in counselling services, the establishment of rehabilitation centres, and the provision of hotlines, which can provide adolescents with the help they need to overcome addiction.

Parents, teachers and community leaders, he said, must equally be equipped to identify early warning signs and provide guidance, while law enforcement agencies work to reduce the supply of illicit substances.

“Finally, we need to create a society that supports recovery and rehabilitation. By breaking the stigma surrounding addiction, we can encourage adolescents to seek help without fear of judgment.