Mustapha Gbande, Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has said illegal mining activities, popularly known as galamsey, have been significantly reduced under the current NDC administration, although not completely eradicated.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s Face to Face on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, Mr Gbande noted that government interventions have helped curb the negative impacts of both legal and illegal small-scale mining, particularly in sensitive areas such as forest reserves and water bodies.
“Galamsey has not ended. But we’ve been able to reduce it drastically,” he stated.
Gbande explained that the fight against illegal mining has been strategically organised around key areas including forest reserves, water bodies, and on-land mining operations. He disclosed that a specialised “combative” team has been deployed to safeguard water bodies and forest reserves, and that the team has been performing “very, very well.”
He added that the government is also focusing on regularising small-scale mining through initiatives such as community mining and cooperative mining schemes. These measures, he said, are aimed at ensuring responsible mining practices and proper land reclamation after operations.
“Our aim is not to eliminate small-scale mining entirely but to ensure it is done properly and responsibly,” Gbande emphasised.
The NDC Deputy General Secretary further indicated that law enforcement agencies continue to crack down on illegal miners irrespective of their political affiliation.
“There are some few people who are still involved in it, but that is why there’s a law, and that’s why law enforcement officers are there to ensure that they go after these people,” he said.
He stressed that legal and illegal mining continue to exist side by side, with the main difference being the possession of proper licences and adherence to environmental and reclamation standards.