Eco-Conscious Citizens Leader Urges President Mahama to Reaffirm Mining License Laws
Eco-Conscious Citizens Executive Director Awula Serwah has urged President John Dramani Mahama to publicly confirm that mining without proper licensing remains illegal in Ghana.
In Brief
- •Eco-Conscious Citizens Executive Director Awula Serwah has urged President John Dramani Mahama to publicly confirm that mining without proper licensing remains illegal in Ghana.
- •Serwah warned that recent public comments by Ghana Gold Board Chief Executive Officer Sammy Gyamfi risk confusing small-scale miners and weakening enforcement against illegal mining.
- •She stated that operating without explicit authorization undermines the work of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) and compromises environmental protection.
- •Serwah noted that securing a primary mining license is mandatory but emphasized that miners must also obtain additional permits from the Environmental Protection Agency and water regulators.
Why It Matters
The call highlights tension between environmental advocacy groups and state officials over messaging regarding small-scale mining regulations. Advocates contend that any perceived tolerance of unlicensed mining threatens efforts to curb water pollution, deforestation, and farmland destruction across Ghana.
Key Details
- Key Speaker
- Awula Serwah
- Organization
- Eco-Conscious Citizens
- Targeted Official
- President John Dramani Mahama
- Official Concerned
- Sammy Gyamfi (CEO, Ghana Gold Board)
- Interview Date
- October 26, 2026
Context & Background
Ghana has struggled with illegal small-scale mining, locally known as galamsey, which causes widespread environmental degradation to rivers, forests, and agricultural communities, prompting statutory oversight and civil society advocacy.
Original Reporting & Sources
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