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Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, president of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), has urged President John Dramani Mahama to make a bold national policy declaration reiterating Ghana’s resolve to permanently eradicate unlawful mining popularly known as galamsey.
His appeal comes after a combined Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) inspection team and journalists were brutally attacked on Thursday, November 6, 2025, in Dadwene, near Obuasi in the Ashanti Region. The incident happened as part of an EPA effort to stop illegal mining.
When the team was attacked by suspected illegal miners and forced to evacuate, the operation reportedly descended into chaos. Several persons were hurt when their car was engaged in an accident during this process. Four journalists were hurt: two reporters from Multimedia Group Limited, one from Media General, a multimedia cameraman, two EPA officials, and Doris Lonta of Citi FM/Channel One TV.
Speaking at the Manhyia Palace for the 2025 GJA National Media Awards, Mr. Dwumfour said that illegal miners had grown “bolder, more daring, and increasingly violent,” characterizing the galamsey threat as a serious national security issue.
Today, while we rejoice, we are equally sad because some of our colleagues are not here with us. They are in the hospital fighting for their lives after following EPA officials on a galamsey assignment,” he said in what he termed the “Manhyia Declaration.”
“Mr. President, the time has come for a bold, symbolic step that communicates to Ghanaians and the world that this government is fully committed to winning the war against galamsey,” he appealed.
“A ‘Manhyia Declaration’ made here, in the presence of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, would carry both moral and political weight and reassure the nation that the government’s eyes remain firmly on the ball.”
He stated that surcharge funds recovered from financial malfeasance should be used for anti-galamsey efforts, citing the most recent Auditor-General’s report.
In order to improve transparency and guarantee public accountability in the fight against galamsey, the GJA President further urged cooperative efforts between the National Security Ministry and the media, led by the GJA.
“We must wake up as a nation before it is too late,” he added.
Mr. Dwumfour also condemned the recent attack on the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) boss and his team at Hwidiem, describing it as “a direct assault on the authority of the state and the rule of law.”
“The GJA demands that the Ghana Police Service brief the nation on the progress of the investigation and leave no stone unturned. Anything short of swift and firm justice will erode public confidence in the state’s ability to protect those who serve the national interest,” he said.
The time for half-measures and bluster is long gone, he said, urging the government to take serious action and show real political will to put an end to the galamsey pandemic.
“The time to act decisively and send a clear message is now,” Mr. Dwumfour added.
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com
