Foreigners engaged in galamsey will be repatriated – Muntaka warns

The Minister of the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak, has reaffirmed the government's strict stance on illegal mining and fraudulent activities, warning that any foreign national caught engaging in such crimes will face immediate deportation.

Speaking at the Regional Command Conference on March 21, 2025, he revealed that over 107 foreign nationals involved in galamsey and financial fraud had already been repatriated since he assumed office.

He urged regional police commanders to collaborate with the Immigration Service to swiftly remove any foreigner found in Ghana's forests or implicated in fraudulent activities.

As part of enhanced enforcement efforts, the Minister announced new measures to track and penalize individuals who supply equipment for illegal mining. He disclosed that he has directed the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to document and trace all machinery used in galamsey operations by recording their chassis numbers.

This initiative aims to identify and hold accountable those who rent out equipment to illegal miners while distancing themselves from direct involvement.

“We will track every bulldozer and mining equipment linked to galamsey. If you are supplying machinery to illegal miners and think you can stay behind the scenes, we will come for you,” the Minister cautioned.

This move aligns with the government’s broader efforts to clamp down on illegal mining, which has caused extensive environmental damage, particularly in forest reserves and major water bodies.

The intensified crackdown reflects growing national concerns over the economic and ecological consequences of illegal mining.

With strict policies on foreign involvement and enhanced monitoring of mining equipment, the government aims to restore order and safeguard Ghana’s natural resources from further degradation.