End galamsey impunity now to protect rivers, forests and public health – Frimpong-Manso Institute
The Frimpong-Manso Institute (FMI) has called for an immediate end to impunity surrounding illegal small-scale mining, popularly known as galamsey, warning that the menace continues to devastate rivers, forest reserves and farmlands across the Ashanti and Western Regions.
In a press statement issued on February 24, 2026, the Institute expressed alarm over what it described as a recurring “raid-return cycle,” where illegal miners resurface shortly after security operations, often more organized than before.
“Raid without integrity reforms simply resets the cycle: raid today, return tomorrow,” the statement said. “Communities cannot drink gold. Ghana must not normalise environmental crime while communities pay the price through unsafe water, damaged livelihoods, and weakened trust in institutions.”
FMI noted that community testimonies and public reports point to integrity failures, including bribery and protection rackets, which allow illicit machinery, fuel and gold markets to continue operating despite enforcement efforts.
The Institute is demanding visible prosecutions, consistent sanctions and the dismantling of networks that profit from environmental destruction.
It further observed that the Community Mining Programme, established to formalise small-scale mining and reduce galamsey activities, requires urgent strengthening. According to FMI, its implementation has been uneven and weakened by governance and capacity gaps.
FMI’s Position
The Institute outlined four key principles guiding its stance:
- “Rivers and forest reserves are non-negotiable; water security and public health cannot be traded for short-term gain.”
- “Integrity is the backbone – end protection networks and negotiated enforcement.”
- “Communities must be protected – safe reporting, no vigilantism, and no retaliation.”
- “Youth need lawful exit ramps – credible alternatives that compete with illegality.”
Proposed Measures
FMI proposed a coordinated national compact to tackle the systems enabling galamsey and to accelerate environmental restoration in affected hotspots.
Among its recommendations are:
- An “Integrity Firewall” to ensure credible investigations and transparent reporting of outcomes.
- Lawful, non-violent community stewardship through early warning systems, safe reporting mechanisms and sustained public education.
- “Youth Exit Ramps” focused on green skills development and dignified employment in reclamation, agroforestry and sustainable agriculture.
- A Water and Public Health Emergency Action plan, including routine monitoring and public reporting.
- Swift justice measures, including faster prosecutions, asset forfeiture and disruption of supply chains involving machinery, fuel and illicit gold markets.
Urgent Calls to Stakeholders
The Institute urged government and security agencies to sustain enforcement operations while ensuring integrity safeguards and publishing clear legal outcomes.
It also called on the judiciary to prioritise environmental crime cases and apply consistent deterrent sanctions, and appealed to traditional authorities to enforce community prohibitions and reject benefits linked to illegal mining.
“Ghana’s natural heritage is not disposable. Impunity must end, and the networks enabling environmental destruction must be exposed, prosecuted, and dismantled,” the statement stressed.
The statement was signed by Rev. Prof. Paul Frimpong-Manso, President of FMI, and Dr. George Manful, FMI Thematic Chair for Environment and Sustainability.
FMI indicated its availability for interviews, panel discussions and newsroom briefings.
Source: Ghana/otecfmghana.com
