In his 2024 State of the Nation Address, President Nana Akufo-Addo described the fight against illegal mining, known as galamsey, as the most difficult and challenging battle of his presidency.
Reflecting on the sacrifices made in the battle to protect the environment and Ghana’s water bodies, he revealed that he had been prepared to risk everything, including his political career, to confront the devastating effects of galamsey.
Akufo-Addo recounted that addressing the galamsey crisis was one of his administration’s top priorities from the outset.
Despite facing significant political fallout, including losing parliamentary seats in the 2020 elections, the President remained steadfast in his commitment to securing Ghana’s natural resources for future generations.
He noted that the environmental destruction caused by illegal mining was so severe that protecting the country’s land and water was non-negotiable, even at the risk of political consequences.
Under his leadership, the government has achieved significant milestones in the mining sector. Ghana became Africa’s leading gold producer in 2023, with a total output of 4 million ounces of gold.
In addition, key infrastructure projects like the 400kg-capacity gold refinery and the $450 million manganese refinery at Nsuta were successfully completed, signaling major strides in the formalization of the sector.
Despite these successes, Akufo-Addo called for continued collective efforts to ensure that mining practices in Ghana are responsible and environmentally sustainable.
He emphasized that the battle against galamsey is not a crusade against mining itself but a necessary fight to protect Ghana’s land, water, and natural resources from irreversible damage.
The President concluded his address by urging all stakeholders, from government officials to mining companies and local communities, to work together to secure a future where Ghana’s rich natural resources are managed in a way that benefits both the economy and the environment.
