By Ghana News
Copyright ghanamma
Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, Elikem Kotoko, has issued a stern warning to illegal miners, urging them to abandon the activity immediately as the government escalates its fight against galamsey.
His remarks follow a recent alert from the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) that traces of mercury have been discovered in locally consumed products such as turmeric and Cereal Mixes (Tom Brown), raising fresh public health concerns linked to illegal mining practices.
The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, instructed the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations (NAIMOS) Task Force to intensify its crackdown and deal ruthlessly with offenders.
Speaking on Breakfast Daily on Channel One TV on Monday, September 29, 2025, Mr. Kotoko cautioned that offenders will no longer be shielded by political or social influence.
“Permit me to say that from this week onwards, if you are engaged in this enterprise, it is best you put a stop to it. This is because there will be naming and shaming, and it doesn’t matter who you are, where you belong, or who you know,” he said.
He further underscored the role of traditional authorities in addressing the menace, citing the land tenure system as a critical factor.
“We all agree that our traditional authorities play a major role because of our land tenure system. So, the NAIMOS have been told to further engage with these traditional leaders. This is to make sure it is not seen as a political move where a politician has to intervene.
“The NAIMOS group should be the ones engaging. When they see something amiss, they give you a chance to correct it. If you fail to do so, then the military can be called to act in the interest of the country,” he explained.
The government’s latest measures signal a tougher stance on illegal mining, linking it directly to threats not only to the environment but also to public health and food safety.
Deal ruthlessly with ‘galamseyers’ – Lands Minister to NAIMOS
