Esteemed economist and statesman Kwame Pianim has appealed to the Ghanaian government to temporarily halt all non-industrial gold mining operations for a period ranging between three and six months.
In making this plea, Pianim urged authorities to clamp down on galamsey, the illicit small-scale gold mining rife across the country, which continues to inflict serious environmental and social damage.
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His reactions come following the tragic death of eight Ghanaians when the Ghana Armed Forces helicopter crashed at Adansi in the Ashanti Region on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, and underscore the broader national concern over the escalating galamsey crisis.
Among the deceased are the Defence Minister, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, and the Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, Murtala Mohammed.
The Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, announced the tragic incident and further directed that all national flags be flown at half-mast in honour of the victims. He also extended the government’s condolences to the bereaved families and the entire nation.
Other victims include Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; Samuel Aboagye, a former NDC Parliamentary Candidate for Obuasi East; and Samuel Sarpong, a Vice Chairman of the NDC and a former Kumasi Mayor.
Kwame Pianim, speaking on helicopter tragedy and illegal gold mining, in an interview on TV3, stressed the urgency of such an intervention, highlighting that unregulated mining activities contribute to the destruction of farmland, contamination of water sources, and destabilisation of communities.
“We have suggested that there should be a complete freeze, a three-month, six-month freeze, on all non-industrial gold mining, so that a presidential commission is set up to look into it,” he said.
“The fact that these people of government and military personnel lost their lives in trying to go and listen and to resolve this problem is significant,” Pianim added.
The appeal by the seasoned statesman could bolster ongoing efforts by the government and civil society to curb the deepening galamsey menace.
