Prominent political and energy analyst Kwame Jantuah has issued a strong challenge to incoming President John Dramani Mahama, insisting that the leader must adopt a “ruthless” approach to finally defeat the menace of illegal mining, or galamsey, which continues to devastate Ghana’s environment and economy.
Jantuah's commentary follows a recent, alarming report from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) CEO, who recounted a terrifying encounter where an anti-galamsey task force, including soldiers and journalists, was violently attacked by heavily armed illegal miners near Obuasi.
The Scale of the Problem Demands Extreme Measures
Kwame Jantuah’s demand for a "ruthless" approach reflects the severity and deeply entrenched nature of the galamsey crisis. The recent attack on the EPA team, which saw armed miners, some allegedly wearing vests marked "CID," overpower military personnel and cause an accident that critically injured two journalists, highlights the sheer audacity and sophisticated organization of the illegal operations.
Jantuah argues that previous administrations' efforts have been hampered by political considerations and an unwillingness to take decisive, uncompromising action against the powerful syndicates funding these illegal activities.
The analyst believes that President Mahama, due to his experience and the current urgency of the environmental degradation, must demonstrate an unparalleled level of resolve. This approach should prioritize the security and future of Ghana's water bodies and forests over any political expediency or vested interests.
Protecting National Assets and Personnel
The commentary underscores that the fight against galamsey is fundamentally a battle for national sovereignty and environmental protection. Ghana's major water sources, including the Birim, Pra, and Ankobrah rivers, have suffered catastrophic pollution, rendering them unusable in many areas.
Jantuah's call is not merely for increased personnel but for a comprehensive, military-grade operation that ensures the safety of state actors-such as the EPA officials, National Security operatives, and the media-who risk their lives to enforce the law. The fact that the anti-galamsey team had to flee the site near Obuasi because the galamseyers were better armed serves as a stark warning that the state's authority is being directly challenged.
The analyst implies that being "ruthless" means dismantling the entire financial and political structure supporting illegal mining, regardless of who is involved, ensuring that the environmental legacy of the new administration is defined by restoration, not further destruction.
Source: Statements by Political Analyst Kwame Jantuah (November 7, 2025), contextualized by EPA reports of galamsey violence near Obuasi.