The Eastern Regional Minister, Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, has issued a two-week ultimatum to all Municipal and District Chief Executives (MDCEs) in the region to profile all miners operating within their jurisdictions as part of a renewed crackdown on illegal mining.
The directive, she said, is aimed at identifying miners who operate legitimately and in compliance with mining and environmental laws, and distinguishing them from those engaged in illegal mining (galamsey), particularly within river bodies and forest reserves.
The Minister gave the directive on Monday, October 6, 2025, during a crucial meeting held in Koforidua with all MDCEs, Regional and constituency executives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), and other key stakeholders. The meeting was also attended by NDC Deputy General Secretary, Mustapha Gbande, the Regional Chairman Dr. Mark Oliver Kevor
The engagement follows President John Mahama’s high-level meeting with major civil society organisations (CSOs) at the Jubilee House to discuss sustainable and lasting solutions to Ghana’s illegal mining menace.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Mrs. Awatey emphasized that the government was determined to bring sanity to the mining sector and protect the environment from further destruction.
“Illegal mining is not just a regional issue — it is a national and environmental problem. The nation is not taking it kindly at all,” she stated.
“I have charged all municipal and district chief executives to go into their communities to profile all mining centres and their owners. They have two weeks to complete this task.”
She further directed that all miners operating around water bodies and forest areas should be given a two-week notice to vacate such sites, warning that those who fail to comply would face prosecution.
“Our rivers and forests are no-go areas. Anyone who flouts this directive will face the law. We have regulations that guide mining, and we must ensure they are strictly enforced,” she added.
Mrs. Awatey commended the collaboration among party executives, local government officials, and traditional leaders, stressing the need for unity in enforcing by-laws and national regulations to safeguard the environment.
“We know there are people mining even in rice fields without licenses — those are the ones we are targeting. As regional minister, I have confidence in my MDCEs to ensure the laws are enforced in their municipalities and districts,” she said.
The profiling exercise, which begins immediately, is expected to culminate in a massive regional operation against illegal mining activities once the two-week deadline expires.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Obed Ansah
