‘Arrest Him Now’: The ‘Tax for Galamsey’ Documentary and Ghana’s Illegal Mining Crisis

Introduction: A Documentary Ignites a National Outcry

An investigative documentary has thrust Ghana’s persistent battle against illegal mining, locally known as galamsey, into a new and explosive phase. Titled ‘A Tax for Galamsey’, the PleasureNews Hotline production alleges a shocking system of coordinated bribery and official complicity, prompting one of the nation’s most vocal anti-galamsey advocates to issue a direct and forceful demand: the immediate arrest of a specific District Chief Executive (DCE). Dr. Ing. Kenneth Ashigbey, Convenor of the Media Coalition Against Illegal Mining, has described implicated public officials as “firefighters who themselves are the arsonists,” framing the revelations not as isolated incidents but as evidence of a deeply entrenched, high-level syndicate sabotaging the country from within. This event transcends a single corruption case; it is a critical stress test for Ghana’s rule of law, environmental governance, and political will. This article examines the documentary’s claims, the political and legal responses, the broader context of the galamsey epidemic, and the urgent, systemic reforms required to dismantle the alleged nexus between illegal miners and state actors.

Key Points: The Allegations and Immediate Demands

The core of the current controversy centers on specific, documented allegations and the resulting calls for accountability. The following points distill the essential facts and demands emerging from the documentary and the subsequent public discourse.

• Explosive Documentary Allegations: The PleasureNews Hotline documentary, ‘A Tax for Galamsey’, presents evidence suggesting a structured system where illegal miners in the Amansie Central District (Ashanti Region) make regular payments—a de facto “tax”—to operate with impunity, implying official sanction and protection.
• Direct Call for Arrest: Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey has explicitly and publicly called for the arrest of the District Chief Executive for Amansie Central, stating on-air that “we need to immediately ensure that he is arrested” and that there is “definitely some corruption and corruption-related activities in there.”
• Accusation of Systemic Sabotage: Ashigbey frames the issue as one of internal sabotage, where political appointees—the very officials tasked with protecting natural resources and enforcing the law—are allegedly the chief enablers of the crime.
• Call for Special Prosecutor Intervention: Recognizing the gravity, Ashigbey has urged the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to take up the case, suggesting it falls squarely within the OSP’s mandate to investigate high-level corruption and corruption-related offenses.
• Government’s Zero-Tolerance Stance (Verbal): Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, has asserted that “the law will take its course” against anyone found culpable, regardless of status or political affiliation, stating the government “won’t protect any individual involved in wrongdoing.”
• Sharp Distinction Between Officials: Ashigbey notes a perceived dichotomy where some DCEs privately express commitment to the fight, while the Amansie Central DCE, per the documentary’s evidence, stands accused of direct complicity.

Background: Understanding the Galamsey Scourge and Past Efforts

The Definition and Devastation of ‘Galamsey’

“Galamsey” is a Ghanaian portmanteau of “gather them and sell them.” It refers to the pervasive practice of small-scale, often informal, gold mining. While some galamsey operates legally under licensed community mining schemes, the term has become synonymous with illegal, unregulated, and environmentally destructive mining. The methods—primarily the use of mercury for gold amalgamation and heavy excavation machinery—cause catastrophic environmental damage. This includes the deforestation of vast tracts of protected forest reserves, the siltation and chemical pollution of major river bodies (like the Pra and Ankobrah rivers), and the degradation of agricultural land. The public health crisis from contaminated water sources and mercury exposure is a growing concern. Economically, while galamsey provides livelihoods for some, it undermines the formal mining sector’s tax base, fuels crime in mining communities, and threatens long-term ecological and economic sustainability.

A History of Government Interventions and Mixed Results

The Ghanaian government has launched several high-profile initiatives to combat galamsey, most notably Operation Vanguard in 2017. This joint military-police task force was deployed to mining hotspots with a mandate to flush out illegal miners and seize equipment. While it initially yielded visible results, including the destruction of some mining equipment and temporary declines in activity, critics argued it was a temporary, militarized solution that failed to address root causes: poverty, lack of alternative livelihoods, and, critically, the alleged complicity of local authorities and traditional leaders. Previous bans on small-scale mining have also been implemented with limited long-term success, often leading to a resurgence of activity once military presence wanes. The recurring narrative from environmental and civil society groups has been that the fight is being undermined from within by a network of protectors who profit from the illegal trade.

The ‘A Tax for Galamsey’ Documentary: The New Evidence

The PleasureNews Hotline documentary represents a shift from generalized accusations to specific, on-the-record allegations. According to reports and clips from the program, the investigation involved undercover work and interviews that purportedly reveal a system of regular payments from illegal miners to officials in the Amansie Central District. The implication is that these payments function as a license to operate, effectively legalizing illegality through corruption. By naming a specific DCE and presenting what is claimed to be evidence of the scheme, the documentary moves the conversation from the abstract problem of “galamsey” to a concrete case of alleged state capture and official corruption in a specific administrative district. This transforms the issue from an environmental crime to a direct test of state integrity and the government’s professed commitment to accountability.

Analysis: The Political and Governance Implications

The DCE as the President’s Representative: A Breach of Trust

The District Chief Executive is a pivotal political appointment. Nominated by the President and approved by the local assembly, the DCE is the chief executive of the district and the representative of the central government at the local level. Their core responsibilities include maintaining law and order, overseeing local development, and, crucially, managing land use and natural resources in accordance with national laws. Ashigbey’s accusation that the Amansie Central DCE is allegedly complicit strikes at the heart of this trust. If true, it represents a profound failure: the President’s own agent in the district is not enforcing the law but is allegedly facilitating its breach for personal gain. This scenario, if replicated elsewhere, would explain the pervasive sense of impunity that has allowed galamsey to flourish despite national-level commitments and task forces.

“Firefighters Who Are the Arsonists”: Diagnosing Internal Sabotage

Ashigbey’s metaphor is stark and analytically significant. It suggests the problem is not merely bureaucratic inefficiency or lack of resources, but active, malicious sabotage. The “firefighters” are the state security agencies, the Minerals Commission, the Environmental Protection Agency, and local government officials like the DCE—all with statutory duties to prevent and prosecute illegal mining. The “arsonists” are those same individuals, allegedly, who create the conditions for the crime to thrive. This diagnosis points to a sophisticated, systemic corruption where illegal mining is not a clandestine activity but an open secret managed through a system of pay-offs and protection. The “tax” mentioned in the documentary is the price of that protection. This analysis implies that any effective solution must first involve a ruthless purge of these alleged internal collaborators before enforcement actions can have lasting effect.

The Role and Challenge of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP)

The call for OSP involvement is strategically important. Established in 2018, the OSP has an independent mandate to investigate and prosecute corruption cases, particularly those involving high-ranking public officials, politically exposed persons, and corruption related to the public sector. Its independence from the regular police and Attorney-General’s office is designed to insulate it from political interference. However, its effectiveness has been subject to public debate, with concerns about resources, speed, and the political will to pursue powerful interests. Ashigbey’s reference to having “seen him acting also with these things” hints at a perception that the OSP’s actions may sometimes be selective or insufficiently aggressive. The Amansie Central case presents a clear test: can the OSP investigate a sitting DCE based on documentary evidence? A swift, transparent investigation and, if evidence warrants, prosecution, would be a powerful signal. Inaction or delay would fuel cynicism and validate accusations of systemic protection.

Government Response: Words vs. Deeds

Minister Felix Kwakye Ofosu’s statement—”Once evidence of wrongdoing comes to light, you’d be taken up. It doesn’t matter who is involved”—represents the government’s official, unequivocal position. This is a necessary and correct legal principle. The analysis, however, must focus on the operationalization of this principle. The critical questions are: What constitutes “evidence” sufficient for arrest and investigation? Is an investigative documentary alone enough, or is a formal complaint required? How quickly will the police or OSP act on this specific allegation? Will the DCE be suspended pending investigation, a standard practice in many jurisdictions to prevent interference? The credibility of the government’s stance now hinges on its actions in this specific case. A failure to act decisively on such a publicly aired, specific allegation would severely undermine all future anti-galamsey rhetoric and confirm the public suspicion of a two-tiered justice system.

Practical Advice: Pathways to Accountability and Reform

Moving from outrage to resolution requires coordinated action from multiple stakeholders. The following are practical, actionable steps based on the legal and governance framework in Ghana.

For Law Enforcement and Prosecutorial Agencies (Police & OSP)

1. Immediate Preliminary Investigation: The Ghana Police Service, particularly its Criminal Investigations Department (CID), must open a preliminary inquiry into the specific allegations against the Amansie Central DCE based on the documentary. This should include securing the raw footage, interviewing the journalists involved, and identifying the alleged “miners” who made the payments on camera.
2. OSP Assessment and Potential Takeover: The Office of the Special Prosecutor should formally assess the case. Given the involvement of a senior political appointee (DCE) and the alleged corruption-related “tax” scheme, it likely falls within the OSP’s purview. The OSP should consider taking over the investigation from the police to leverage its specialized powers and ensure independence.
3. Preservation of Evidence and Witness Protection: Steps must be taken to protect the whistleblowers and journalists involved in the documentary. Their safety and the integrity of the evidence are paramount for a credible prosecution.
4. Consider Suspension: The relevant authorities, including the Ministry of Local Government and the President’s office, should consider placing the DCE on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. This is a standard precaution to prevent alleged witness tampering, destruction of evidence, or continued abuse of office.

For the Executive and Legislature

1. Public Commitment to Due Process: The President and his communications minister must consistently reiterate support for the investigative process without prejudging the outcome, while making clear that no one is above the law. This manages public expectation.
2. Review of District-Level Oversight: The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, in collaboration with the Council of State, should review the oversight mechanisms for DCEs. This includes the effectiveness of district security councils, the role of regional coordinating councils, and audit