17 Dead from Galamsey in First Half of 2025 – Minority
Minority faults weak law enforcement and lack of political will for the deaths, calling for urgent action to curb illegal mining
- At least 17 people died from galamsey-related incidents in Ghana between January and July 2025
- The Minority in Parliament blames weak law enforcement and lack of political will for the continued menace
- Urgent action, stricter enforcement, and prosecution of offenders are needed to protect lives and the environment
The Minority in Parliament has disclosed that at least 17 people died between January and July 2025 due to illegal mining activities, commonly referred to as galamsey.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, Deputy Ranking Member on the Lands and Natural Resources Committee, Akwasi Konadu, attributed the deaths to weak law enforcement and a lack of political will to tackle the menace, which continues to devastate lives and the environment.
“From January to July 2025, Ghana recorded at least 17 deaths linked directly to galamsey activities. These are not mere statistics; these are Ghanaian lives — breadwinners, mothers, sons, and daughters lost to the reckless pursuit of unregulated mineral wealth,” Mr. Konadu said.
He criticised the government for failing to act despite repeated warnings, stressing that continued inaction has resulted in preventable tragedies.
“Mr. Speaker, how many lives must be lost before urgent and decisive action is taken? The prevalence of death and environmental collapse is a direct consequence of ineffective law enforcement, the lack of political will, and, in some instances, the complicity of some state actors and traditional authorities,” he added.
The Minority called on the government to step up enforcement, prosecute offenders, and show genuine commitment to eradicating the destructive practice that threatens communities, water bodies, and livelihoods nationwide.
