File photo of a galamsey site
The Ghana Chamber of Mines and the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) have strengthened their collaboration to help mitigate the adverse impact of illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, on the country’s environment.
As part of their efforts, the Chamber and GJA organised a two-day workshop for 40 selected journalists from all regions in Ghana.
Held in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region between Thursday, September 18, and Friday, September 19, 2025, the workshop provided a platform for journalists to gain a deeper understanding of Ghana’s mining sector and its laws.
The workshop also featured thorough education on the Chamber’s work, effective reporting on sustainable mining activities, and strategies to combat illegal mining.
Experienced actors in the mining and journalism fields engaged participants throughout the workshop, providing them with valuable insights.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Ing. Kenneth Ashigbey, who was one of the facilitators, underscored the need for the media and the Chamber to team up to shape the narrative in the mining sector.
He spoke to OTEC News reporter Kwame Agyenim Boateng on the sidelines of the workshop.
“We want journalists in the country to get a good understanding of the mining sector and how it works. This will help them hold all stakeholders in the sector accountable.”
“What are the responsibilities of mining companies, chiefs, district assemblies, and other stakeholders? It will take journalists with a good understanding of the sector to do that,” he said.
He added, “This collaboration between GJA and the Chamber is a positive move because we want journalists to hold main actors in the mining sector accountable to ensure sustainable mining.”
Ashigbey pledged the Chamber’s continued support to journalists to empower them for effective reporting in the mining sector that puts Ghana at the core.
For his part, the National Organising Secretary of GJA, Suleman Mustapha, commended the Ghana Chamber of Mines for the collaboration.
He noted that the workshop had armed journalists with a good amount of information and techniques that would aid effective reporting in the sector.
He urged journalists to take advantage of such opportunities and tell compelling stories that would fuel the sustainable development of the mining sector.
