Prof Ransford Gyampo is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Shippers Authority
The Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Shippers Authority (GSA), Professor Ransford Gyampo, has declared his support for a ‘ruthless approach’ in the fight against illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.
Speaking on TV3’s Key Points on Saturday, September 27, 2025, Prof Gyampo supported the government’s approach of declaring galamsey hotspots as security zones and deploying security personnel to those areas.
He argued that such a firm stance is necessary to effectively combat the environmental destruction caused by the practice.
‘I refuse to be silenced on galamsey’ – Cadman Mills to critics
“… In declaring those areas as security zones, you’re going to have these soldiers stationed there permanently, and once they are permanently there, they are now empowered to deal ruthlessly with people [mining in those areas]. These security agencies are going to be stationed there permanently, and they’ve declared those areas as security zones, and so, if you trespass, they will deal with you,” he said.
Prof Gyampo highlighted how the actions of these miners cost lives and contaminate water sources and food crops through the use of toxic chemicals and heavy metals in their pursuit of gold.
He remained firm in his belief that only a tough, decisive approach can effectively address the serious threat that galamsey activities pose.
“Galamsey is a war against all of us. People are killing us, we are being killed slowly, but when you respond, the one who is putting poison in our water to drink, and we are drinking and we are dying, if you eliminate him, you get people like Martin Kpebu to come and ask why should that happen? And so, we must fight it; we must resort to all drastic measures to fight it, but when the same drastic measures are being resorted to, we’ll come and sit here and talk. So, what should we do?” he queried.
His comments come on the back of a declaration by the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, and Acting Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah.
Galamsey Fight: Government to declare forests, water bodies as security zones
The minister announced that all forest reserves and river bodies have been declared security zones to protect them from illegal mining activities.
The minister made this known when he spoke at the closing ceremony of a week-long training for the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) in Sunyani on Friday, September 26, 2025.
MAG/AE
Akrobeto reacts to Agradaa’s jail term for the first time
