Acting Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, has expressed deep concern over the growing menace of illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, across the country.
Speaking at a public engagement on Monday, September 15, 2025, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie lamented that the situation has worsened despite several government interventions aimed at curbing the practice. He warned that galamsey continues to wreak havoc on the environment, destroying farmlands and polluting vital water bodies that serve millions of Ghanaians.
“The menace has become worse,” he said, stressing the urgent need for coordinated and decisive action by state institutions to tackle the issue.
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie urged the government, security agencies, and the judiciary to strengthen enforcement efforts and ensure that offenders are punished to serve as a deterrent.
Illegal mining has long been a major national challenge in Ghana. Successive governments have rolled out various initiatives to combat the practice. However, experts and stakeholders have repeatedly warned that without strict enforcement of existing laws and strong political will, the problem is likely to persist and escalate.
