The Minority has disclosed that at least 17 people lost their lives between January and July 2025 due to activities linked to illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.
The caucus attributed the tragic deaths to weak law enforcement and what it described as the government’s lack of political will to confront the menace, which continues to claim lives and devastate the environment.
Delivering a statement on the floor of Parliament on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, Deputy Ranking Member on the Lands and Natural Resources Committee, Akwasi Konadu, called for urgent and decisive action to curb the rising human and environmental toll of illegal mining.
“From January to July 2025, Ghana recorded at least 17 deaths directly connected to galamsey operations. These are not just numbers they represent Ghanaian lives: breadwinners, mothers, sons, and daughters lost to the reckless pursuit of unregulated mineral wealth,” Mr. Konadu stated.
He expressed concern that despite repeated warnings, the government had failed to implement sustainable interventions to prevent further loss of life.
“Mr. Speaker, how many more lives must be lost before decisive action is taken? The persistent deaths and environmental degradation are the direct result of ineffective law enforcement, lack of political will, and, in some cases, the complicity of certain state officials and traditional leaders,” he added.
The Minority therefore called on the government to strengthen enforcement mechanisms, prosecute offenders, and demonstrate genuine commitment to ending the destructive practice that continues to endanger lives, pollute water bodies, and destroy livelihoods across the country.
