Galamsey, fraud: Jail locals, deport foreigners sparks outrage

The John Mahama-led administration has come under fire for making what many consider a mockery of the fight against illegal mining (galamsey) by reintroducing a controversial policy that jails Ghanaian citizens while deporting foreign nationals engaged in the same illegal mining activities.
Originally implemented in 2013 during Mahama’s first term, the policy has been revived with the recent deportation of 107 foreigners arrested for their involvement in illegal mining. ‘
The foreigners are simply deported, without prosecution, back to the comfort of their home countries, often with their ill-gotten gains intact.
This move, critics argue, is a clear indication that the government’s commitment to ending galamsey is, at best, half-hearted.

Deportation without trial weakens the law
Deporting foreigners without trial, while prosecuting Ghanaians, undermines the integrity of the justice system.
By choosing deportation over prosecution, the administration is not only undermining justice but also sending the wrong signal—that foreign nationals can break Ghana’s laws and avoid accountability
This disparity suggests that there may be an implicit “price tag” for the exoneration of foreigners complicit in the destruction of Ghana’s lands, rivers, and laws.
It positions foreign nationals as above the law and untouchable, even when caught violating Ghanaian statutes.

Policy insults public intelligence
Rather than ensuring equal enforcement of the law, the government has opted for a policy that many say insults the intelligence of Ghanaians.
It raises serious concerns about fairness and the sovereignty of the nation’s laws.
The move has sparked outrage, with citizens questioning why foreigners are treated with leniency while locals are made to face the full weight of the law.
Critics argue that deporting foreigners without trial severely undermines the rule of law and weakens the broader fight against illegal mining

In April 2019, when then-Senior Minister Yaw Osafo-Maafo justified the failure to prosecute notorious Chinese galamsey queen Aisha Huang, he was heavily criticized—especially by the then opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Ironically, the same NDC government now appears to be following a similar path.

Interior Minister defends deportation strategy
Interior Minister Alhaji Muntaka Mubarak stated that the NDC administration has no intention of prosecuting foreigners caught engaging in galamsey and other fraudulent acts.
“We are not going to spend state resources prosecuting foreigners who violate our laws through galamsey and scamming,” the Minister declared. “They will be deported to serve as a deterrent.”

Justifying the Policy Shift
Alhaji Mubarak insists that the current deportation policy is part of a broader plan to curb environmental destruction caused by illegal mining and to reduce foreign involvement in criminal activities across Ghana.
He also clarified that the new directive is not limited to illegal mining.
Foreigners arrested for cybercrime, internet fraud, and other scams will also face immediate deportation.
“This is about protecting the integrity of our economy and our land,” he explained.
“We are not only tackling illegal mining but also cybercrime and other forms of fraud perpetrated by foreign nationals.”

Legal backing in progress
The Minister added that the Ministry of the Interior is working in collaboration with the Attorney-General’s Department to establish the legal framework necessary to support the implementation of this policy.
“Engagements are far advanced with the Attorney-General to provide the necessary legal backing for these deportations, ensuring the policy is implemented within the boundaries of the law,” he said.

Critics say the policy lacks teeth
Despite the government’s rhetoric, critics argue that deportation without trial does little to deter the real culprits behind illegal mining.
Instead, it allows foreigners to evade justice and return to their home countries with their ill-gotten wealth intact.
The practice also raises serious questions about Ghana’s sovereignty, and whether foreign nationals are being given preferential treatment at the expense of the nation’s environment and its citizens.

Call for equal enforcement of the law
As the Mahama administration ramps up its efforts, many Ghanaians are demanding a more equitable and consistent approach to law enforcement.
The current policy, they argue, undermines the rule of law and the fight against galamsey.
To restore public confidence, the government must demonstrate that it is willing to prosecute all offenders—regardless of nationality—and uphold the law without fear or favor.

What lies ahead
With the administration promising more aggressive action in the coming months to reclaim lands and dismantle criminal networks, observers are watching closely.
The effectiveness of the anti-galamsey campaign will hinge on whether the government chooses justice over expediency—or continues to sacrifice fairness at the altar of diplomatic convenience.
By ELVIS DARKO, Accra