The Acting Chief Justice, Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, has implored national leaders to adopt robust and far-reaching strategies to combat illegal small-scale mining, popularly known as galamsey, which he described as a significant threat to Ghana’s very existence.
Speaking at the 2025 Annual General Conference of the Ghana Bar Association in Wa on Monday, September 15, 2025, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie expressed deep concern that despite numerous legal reforms, including the repeal of the Small-Scale Gold Mining Law and its replacement with the Minerals and Mining Act 703 of 2006, galamsey activities have persisted and even intensified.
He highlighted the grave national security implications of galamsey, citing the influx of illegal miners, often accompanied by foreign nationals, which has been linked to a surge in criminal activities in affected communities. The Acting CJ lamented that the menace has brought about “unspeakable death, pain, and disruption” to the nation, with measures employed over the years proving woefully inadequate.
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie attributed the failure to tackle galamsey to half-hearted measures and urged the government to take decisive action. He specifically called for a review and possible repeal of the Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) Regulation 2022 (LI 2462), which permits mining in forest reserves, stressing that this would be a crucial step towards winning the fight against illegal mining.
“The time to act is now without any further delay,” he stressed, urging the government to demonstrate the political will to address this existential threat. This version is closer in length to the original while maintaining the same message and tone.
