File photo of galamsey site
The Legal Green Association (LGA), a left-wing group of professional law students, has urged government and stakeholders to pursue sustainable alternatives in the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
In a position paper submitted ahead of planned civil society engagement on the matter, the Association stressed that outright bans on community mining would deprive residents of mineral-rich lands of their economic rights, while other communities continue to benefit from natural resources such as fishing and salt mining.
Citing provisions in the 1992 Constitution, LGA underscored that minerals are vested in the President in trust for the people, and that the state has an obligation to safeguard the environment for posterity.
However, it noted that successive administrations have struggled to balance the livelihoods of local communities with environmental protection.
“We are pleased to observe that government’s approach to addressing the impact of mining is to prioritise sustainable mining initiatives rather than prohibiting mining by communities and their residents,” the Association said.
Towards Sustainable Mining
The Association proposed a campaign under the theme “Towards Sustainable Mining” to guide future policy direction and public engagement. It outlined a number of measures to support responsible mining.
Green mining technologies and practice: Government should champion the adoption of environmentally friendly mining techniques, as seen in developed countries, to reduce energy consumption and minimize ecological damage.
Constructions of more water purification/treatment dams: Recognising the devastation of rivers by galamsey, the Association recommended investment in water purification dams along heavily affected rivers to support Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) and restore ecosystems.
Polluter Pay Principle and Equity: LGA advocated for a “Polluter and Producer Pay” principle, under which companies, individuals, or institutions engaged in mining are held financially responsible for environmental restoration. It proposed a mandatory environmental levy on all mining operations, with proceeds directed into a Small-Scale Mining Fund (SSMF).
The fund would finance land reclamation, reforestation, water purification projects, tax waivers and subsidies for eco-friendly operations, as well as recognition and incentives for sustainable mining practices. Importantly, the Association stressed that traditional leaders and local communities should be directly involved in monitoring and benefit-sharing.
Establishment of regional sustainable mining training centers: To drive behavioral change, LGA called for the establishment of training centres nationwide to equip miners with green skills. It also proposed that community mining agreements (CMAs) should be mandatory for license approval, with explicit inclusion of women and youth in the process. In addition, it suggested the introduction of a compulsory Green Mining Certificate to ensure compliance.
Ongoing measures and monitoring: The Association expressed support for ongoing government interventions but urged stronger monitoring tools, including annual environmental audits, GPS mapping, drone surveillance, and stricter enforcement of backfilling, revegetation, and land-use zoning requirements.
Collaboration
The LGA emphasised that Ghana’s mineral future depends on striking a balance between economic needs and environmental stewardship.
“Through enforcement, collaboration with stakeholders, promotion of economic alternatives, and environmental justice, Ghana can win this battle,” it stated.
The Association pledged its readiness to collaborate with government, civil society, academia, and traditional authorities in shaping policies that make sustainable mining “real and irreversible.”
The statement was signed by its Leader, Festus Matey, and Head of Politics and Elections Affairs, Evans Mawunyo Tsikata.
