Dr Kenneth Ashigbey, Convener of the Media Coalition Against Illegal Mining (GCAG)
Dr Kenneth Ashigbey, Convener of the Media Coalition Against Illegal Mining (GCAG), has issued a strong call for action to President John Dramani Mahama.
He is urging that all Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) and police commanders assigned to areas plagued by illegal mining, commonly referred to as galamsey should be dismissed.
Ken Ashigbey has called for decisive action to combat illegal mining, stressing accountability for local authorities who have failed to halt the worsening crisis.
He accused some officials of complicity or negligence, pointing to persistent galamsey activity in known hotspots.
Ashigbey urged the Inspector General of Police to reshuffle commanders in mining-prone regions, arguing that their continued presence enables illicit operations and, in some cases, raises suspicions of direct involvement due to unexplained wealth or ties to mining equipment.
Beyond individual accountability, he proposed broader reforms, including declaring a state of emergency in severely affected areas, revoking licenses for mining in forest reserves, and publishing the identities of excavator importers to expose the financiers behind illegal mining networks.
Dr Ashigbey underscores that the failure to enforce environmental protections reflects a deeper leadership crisis. “Some of these officers have become extremely wealthy.
If they are not benefiting from galamsey, then they are simply incompetent. Either way, they must be transferred,” he declared.
