The Secretary General of the Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL), Abraham Koomson, has supported remarks made by the Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, Tong Defa, asserting that many Chinese nationals involved in illegal mining activities have done so with the help of Ghanaians.
According to Koomson, the ambassador was right to partly blame Ghanaians for aiding Chinese nationals in engaging in galamsey.
He questioned how these foreigners are able to identify and mine the country’s natural resources without the help of locals.
Koomson went on to accuse the Ghana Embassy in China of failing to conduct proper due diligence regarding the purpose of travel for Chinese nationals who have flooded Ghana’s forests and natural reserves.
Speaking in an interview with GhanaWeb Business on June 24, 2025, he said, “The Ambassador was right in blaming some Ghanaians for aiding the Chinese in galamsey activities. The fact is, some of these Chinese nationals may be convicted criminals in China, yet they have managed to obtain travel visas from the Ghana Embassy in China to enter this country.”
“The question is, did the Ghana Embassy in China conduct proper checks to verify the purpose of these Chinese nationals who are now occupying our forests? Again, how are these foreigners able to locate our mineral-rich forests and rivers for mining without the assistance of Ghanaian agents?” he quizzed.
Abraham Koomson urged the government to enforce existing illegal mining laws without delay to address galamsey, which remains one of the canker in the country.
The Chinese Ambassador had earlier dismissed claims that Chinese nationals were at the centre of illegal mining operations in Ghana.
His comments come amid renewed national outrage over the environmental devastation caused by galamsey.
Civil society groups, including the Ghana Coalition Against Illegal Mining, have called for stronger action against the financiers and political actors behind the illegal trade.
SA/MA
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