The Member of Parliament (MP) for Asunafo North, Haruna Muhammed, has praised the government for its enhanced efforts in combating illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.
His commendation comes after the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) intercepted over 1,000 Chanfangs at Tema Port.
Speaking on the ‘Anopa Bofoɔ’ show on Angel FM, on Thursday, March 5, 2026, he emphasised that the current administration is making significant strides in addressing the issue.
Haruna highlighted that galamsey is a pressing concern in Ghana, causing considerable damage to the environment, including land degradation and the pollution of water bodies.
He pointed out that every Ghanaian is affected by this issue, stressing that if the government fails to take action, it risks facing repercussions from the electorate.
He advocated for a focus on the machines being imported for illegal mining activities, asserting that this approach would help identify the source of the problem and track down those responsible, rather than merely pursuing young workers in the pits.
“The youth that the pit collapses on are just labourers and they are innocent; the kingpins are there. We need to start from somewhere and get to somewhere, and that is why I am saying there is a value chain,” he told Ohemaa Sakyiwaa, host of the show.
The MP expressed satisfaction with the government’s collaboration with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) and other agencies to monitor imported mining machines.
He noted that a significant number of machinery has been intercepted recently, including 425 excavators, 4 bulldozers, 155 pumping machines, 15 gold detectors, and 10 heavy-duty machines which have been seized pending proper documentation for validation.
He further assured the public that the government and its agencies are effectively combating galamsey and expressed confidence of the continuity to strive towards fighting illegal mining.
Source: Vanessa Elizabeth Nkum
