29th GJA Media Awards: Luv FM’s Ohemeng Tawiah Wins Best Illegal Mining Reporting Award for Galamsey Exposé

Published: November 8, 2025

Introduction

In the fight against illegal mining in Ghana, known locally as galamsey, investigative journalism plays a pivotal role. At the 29th Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Media Awards held on November 8, 2025, Luv FM’s Ohemeng Tawiah emerged victorious, securing the Best Illegal Mining Reporting Award. His award-winning piece, “Last Hour Illegal Mining Attacks on Forest Reserves Ahead of Elections,” aired on JoyNews, highlighted the devastating incursions of galamsey operators into protected forest reserves. This recognition underscores the power of bold reporting in addressing Ghana’s environmental crisis, where illegal mining has ravaged ecosystems, polluted water sources, and threatened biodiversity.

What is Galamsey and Why Does It Matter?

Galamsey refers to small-scale, unregulated gold mining activities that often employ hazardous methods like mercury amalgamation. According to verifiable reports from Ghana’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), these operations have led to widespread deforestation and river contamination, affecting over 60% of the country’s river systems. Tawiah’s work not only documented these facts but also connected them to broader political dynamics during election periods, amplifying public awareness.

Analysis

Ohemeng Tawiah, a veteran journalist with Luv FM under The Multimedia Group Limited, has built a reputation for in-depth environmental reporting. His winning entry stood out due to its rigorous research, compelling narrative, and on-the-ground bravery in accessing remote, hazardous forest zones. The report exposed how galamsey operators systematically invade forest reserves, using heavy machinery to uproot trees and divert water bodies, resulting in irreversible ecological damage.

Key Elements of Tawiah’s Reporting Excellence

Tawiah’s piece went beyond surface-level coverage by:

• Providing visual evidence of destroyed vegetation and polluted rivers.
• Interviewing affected communities, whose livelihoods depend on these forests.
• Linking galamsey surges to political activities, a pattern observed in pre-election years as documented in EPA and Forestry Commission reports.

The GJA panel praised his professionalism, integrity, and commitment to balanced, factual journalism, noting its contribution to national discussions on sustainable mining in Ghana and environmental preservation.

Broader Impact on Ghanaian Journalism

This award reaffirms the GJA’s role in promoting investigative work on critical issues like galamsey, corruption, education, and governance. Tawiah’s dual recognition—also as Best Illegal Mining TV Reporter—highlights his versatility across radio and television platforms within The Multimedia Group.

Summary

The 29th GJA Media Awards ceremony, a prestigious event recognizing Ghana’s top journalistic achievements, took place on Saturday, November 8, 2025. Attended by dignitaries including Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, media executives, government officials, and stakeholders, it celebrated excellence in reporting that drives social accountability and national development. Ohemeng Tawiah’s win for the Best Illegal Mining Reporting Award spotlighted his exposé on galamsey’s assault on forest reserves, emphasizing the urgency of enforcement against illegal mining activities.

Key Points

Practical Advice

For aspiring journalists tackling galamsey reporting in Ghana, Tawiah’s success offers actionable lessons. Start with thorough preparation:

Research and Verification Strategies

Collaborate with agencies like the EPA, Minerals Commission, and Forestry Commission for data. Use satellite imagery from sources like Global Forest Watch to verify deforestation hotspots. Always cross-check community testimonies with official records to ensure accuracy.

Safe Field Reporting Techniques

Travel in teams, inform local authorities, and use protective gear in contaminated areas. Employ drones for overhead footage to minimize risks from armed galamsey operators. Build networks with community leaders for safe access.

Storytelling for Impact

Craft narratives that humanize victims—farmers losing crops, fishermen facing mercury-polluted rivers. Integrate data visualizations, such as maps of affected reserves, to enhance pedagogical value and SEO potential for online stories.

Points of Caution

Reporting on illegal mining carries significant risks. Galamsey sites are often controlled by organized groups with political ties, leading to threats, assaults, or equipment seizures. In 2023-2024, multiple Ghanaian journalists faced harassment, as reported by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA). Ethical caution includes avoiding sensationalism; stick to verifiable facts to prevent libel suits. Health hazards from mercury exposure require medical checks post-reporting.

Risk Mitigation Tips

• Secure editorial and legal support before fieldwork.
• Blur faces in videos if sources request anonymity.
• Monitor personal security via apps like those from the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

Comparison

Compared to previous GJA awards, Tawiah’s win aligns with a trend of recognizing galamsey coverage. In the 28th edition (2024), reporters from Citi FM and Graphic Online won similar categories for water pollution exposés. Tawiah’s piece differentiates by its election-timed political angle, echoing 2020 winners who linked galamsey to voter influence. Unlike radio-focused past awards, his TV adaptation showcases multimedia evolution in Ghanaian environmental journalism.

Award Trends Over Years

Legal Implications

Galamsey is illegal under Ghana’s Minerals and Mining Act (2006, Act 703), which prohibits mining in forest reserves without licenses. Offenders face fines up to GH¢ 10 million or imprisonment up to 15 years. Tawiah’s reporting amplifies calls for enforcement, as weak prosecutions—only 5% conviction rate per 2024 Minerals Commission data—exacerbate the crisis. Journalists must navigate defamation laws under the Criminal Offences Act (1960), ensuring reports name no individuals without evidence. Freedom of expression is protected by Article 162 of the 1992 Constitution, safeguarding such public interest journalism.

Conclusion

Ohemeng Tawiah’s triumph at the 29th GJA Media Awards exemplifies the transformative role of journalism in combating illegal mining in Ghana. By exposing galamsey’s toll on forests and communities, he not only earns accolades but inspires a new generation of reporters. As Ghana grapples with environmental sustainability, such fearless work remains essential for accountability and change, cementing Tawiah’s legacy in Ghanaian media.

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