President John Dramani Mahama has committed to addressing the issue of illegal mining task forces in Ghana. This pledge came during a meeting with the Council of State and key stakeholders on July 7, 2025. The president highlighted that these unauthorized groups have exacerbated the illegal mining crisis, particularly affecting licensed miners.
Mahama’s remarks followed concerns raised by the Ashanti Regional Chapter of the Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners. They reported that these task forces, which claim to combat illegal mining, have instead harassed and extorted legitimate miners. The president emphasized the complexity of the illegal mining challenge and acknowledged the need for a coordinated response among stakeholders.
He noted that independent actions have led to the proliferation of illegal task forces, taking advantage of the situation. To address this, Mahama convened a meeting with all parties involved in the anti-galamsey campaign, aiming to streamline operations and enhance collaboration.
In a related initiative, the president is set to inaugurate a Goldbod Task Force in Accra today. This new task force will focus on combating illegal gold trading and stabilizing the gold market. Mahama’s efforts signify a renewed commitment to tackle the multifaceted issues surrounding illegal mining in Ghana.