President John Dramani Mahama has extended an invitation to Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) for a high-level engagement on the pressing issue of illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
The meeting is scheduled to take place on Friday, October 3, 2025, at 12:00 noon, at the Jubilee House in Accra.
The engagement is expected to bring together a wide range of CSOs, policy experts, and stakeholders in the natural resources sector to deliberate on sustainable measures to combat illegal mining and its associated effects.
According to a letter issued by Dr Callistus Mahama, Secretary to the President, the dialogue will serve as a platform for frank and constructive discussions aimed at harnessing collective expertise and perspectives.
“This engagement aims to provide a platform for frank and constructive dialogue between the Government and civil society on the menace of illegal mining, with a view to harnessing collective expertise, perspectives, and solutions to address this national challenge,” it said.
Illegal mining has long been a major challenge in Ghana, contributing to environmental degradation, destruction of farmlands, and pollution of water bodies.
Successive governments have introduced various measures to curb the menace, yet it remains a persistent issue with social, economic, and environmental implications.
By inviting CSOs to the table, President Mahama seeks to broaden the scope of stakeholder participation in developing lasting solutions.
Civil society has often been at the forefront of advocacy against illegal mining, calling for stricter enforcement of mining laws, community education, and alternative livelihoods for local miners.
The outcome of Friday’s meeting is expected to influence government policy direction and strengthen partnerships between state institutions and non-state actors in the fight against illegal mining.
