Dr Henry Kwabena Kokofu, former Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has said that President John Dramani Mahama’s first-term effort to curb illegal small-scale mining, known as galamsey, was unsuccessful because political leaders, rather than independent state institutions, were placed in charge.
Speaking on Citi FM, Dr Kokofu explained that although Mahama’s administration was the first to confront the galamsey problem directly, the strategy between 2012 and 2014 relied heavily on politicians and inter-ministerial committees. This, he said, weakened enforcement and reduced accountability, limiting the campaign’s effectiveness.
He argued that state institutions such as the EPA, Forestry Commission, Water Resources Commission, and Ghana Geological Survey Authority should lead efforts against illegal mining. Empowering these bodies, rather than politicians, would ensure a consistent and sustainable response.
Dr Kokofu emphasized that tackling galamsey successfully requires strong, independent institutions free from political influence. He warned that repeating past mistakes could hinder future attempts to address the environmental and economic damage caused by illegal mining.
