‘A Tax for Galamsey’: Dr. Manteaw’s Warning to NDC on Shielding Implicated DCEs

A groundbreaking documentary investigation by JoyNews, titled ‘A Tax for Galamsey’, has ignited a national controversy in Ghana. The film exposes a sophisticated pay-to-destroy syndicate where local government officials, including District Chief Executives (DCEs), allegedly collect illicit payments from illegal miners (galamsey) in exchange for protection and operational freedom. In the wake of this exposé, prominent policy analyst and natural resource governance advocate, Dr. Steve Manteaw, has issued a direct and stern warning to the National Democratic Congress (NDC): do not shield the implicated officials. He argues that defending these individuals would constitute a profound betrayal of President John Dramani Mahama’s public commitment to combating environmental destruction and would severely undermine the party’s credibility on conservation issues. This analysis delves into the documentary’s findings, the political fallout, the systemic challenges of illegal mining in Ghana, and the urgent calls for accountability.

Key Points at a Glance

• The Exposé: JoyNews’ documentary “A Tax for Galamsey” reveals a systemic scheme where DCEs and other local officials allegedly tax illegal miners, effectively legalizing environmental destruction.
• The Core Warning: Dr. Steve Manteaw urges NDC supporters and leadership to prioritize national interest over partisan loyalty by not defending the implicated DCEs.
• Political Stakes: The scandal directly challenges the Mahama administration’s stated fight against galamsey and risks painting the NDC as complicit in corruption and environmental crime.
• Broad Consensus for Action: Civil society organizations like the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) and the Media Coalition Against Illegal Mining are demanding the immediate dismissal and prosecution of the named officials.
• Government Response: The Minister of State for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has stated unequivocally that the law will take its course against anyone found culpable, regardless of political affiliation.

Background: The Scourge of ‘Galamsey’ in Ghana

Understanding Illegal Mining (Galamsey)

The term “galamsey” is a Ghanaian portmanteau of “gather them and sell.” It refers to the pervasive practice of small-scale, often informal and illegal, gold mining. While some artisanal mining is legal and regulated, illegal mining in Ghana typically involves operations without proper permits, in restricted areas (like forest reserves, near water bodies, and farmlands), and using environmentally destructive methods, notably the unchecked use of mercury and cyanide for gold extraction. The environmental and social costs are catastrophic: severe deforestation, polluted rivers and drinking water sources (like the Pra and Birim rivers), degraded agricultural land, and increased social tensions in mining communities.

A History of Failed Interventions

Successive Ghanaian governments, across both the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and NDC, have launched major military and policy initiatives to combat galamsey, such as Operation Vanguard (2017) and various community mining programs. Despite these efforts, the practice has persisted, often due to a combination of complex factors: powerful economic incentives for local elites and unemployed youth, perceived corruption within the regulatory and security apparatus, porous borders enabling foreign nationals (particularly from China) to operate, and the sheer difficulty of monitoring vast rural areas. This history has fostered public cynicism, making allegations of a “pay-to-destroy” system particularly explosive and believable.

The ‘A Tax for Galamsey’ Documentary

Aired on JoyNews in February 2026, the documentary represents a significant piece of investigative journalism. Through undercover filming and following the “money trail,” it purports to show how local government officials, specifically naming the District Chief Executive for Amansie Central, have institutionalized a system of “charges” or “taxes” from illegal mining operators. This transforms what is officially a crime into a de facto, illicitly taxed economic activity at the district level, with officials providing a shield against law enforcement. The documentary’s title powerfully frames this not as a failed policy issue, but as a corrupt **taxation system for environmental destruction**.

Analysis: The Political and Governance Fallout

Dr. Manteaw’s Central Argument: Party Over Principle?

Dr. Manteaw’s intervention is crucial because it comes from within the broader ideological camp of the ruling NDC. His warning is not a generic anti-corruption plea but a targeted political stratagem. He posits that any attempt by NDC foot soldiers, communicators, or even regional executives to defend or explain away the actions of the implicated DCEs would be a strategic blunder of epic proportions. His reasoning is multi-layered:

1. Betrayal of Presidential Mandate: President Mahama has publicly positioned environmental protection, particularly the fight against galamsey, as a key pillar of his administration. Protected illegal mining at the district level directly contradicts and weakens this presidential directive, making the local officials’ actions an internal insurgency against the President’s own agenda.
2. Hypocrisy Charge: The NDC, as the party in power, bears ultimate responsibility for governance. Shielding officials caught on camera facilitating environmental crime would allow the opposition NPP and civil society to perfectly frame the NDC as a party of hypocrisy—preaching environmental stewardship while practicing corruption and destruction.
3. Erosion of Moral Authority: The government’s ability to enforce laws, attract green investment, and negotiate internationally on climate and resource governance depends on perceived integrity. This scandal, if whitewashed, would strip the administration of its moral authority on these issues.

The Government’s “No One is Above the Law” Stance

Minister Felix Kwakye Ofosu’s statement on JoyNews’ The Pulse is a clear attempt to contain the political damage. His assertion—”Once evidence of wrongdoing comes to light, you’d be taken up. It doesn’t matter who is involved”—is a necessary foundational principle for any credible response. This rhetoric aligns with the rule-of-law framework required to address such a scandal. However, the true test lies in the follow-through: the speed, transparency, and impartiality of the investigative and judicial processes. The public will judge the administration not by its words, but by the fates of the named DCEs. Will they be merely transferred, or will they face criminal prosecution and dismissal?

The Broader Implications for Local Governance

This scandal transcends party politics and points to a critical weakness in Ghana’s local governance structure. District Chief Executives are presidential appointees with significant executive power at the district level. If the allegation is true that they are running extortion rackets, it suggests:

• Severe Regulatory Capture: Local regulatory bodies (e.g., Minerals Commission, Environmental Protection Agency district offices) are either complicit or powerless against the DCE.
• Weakening of Security Coordination: District Security Councils (DISECs), which the DCE chairs, are compromised, preventing effective joint operations against galamsey.
• Perpetuation of the “Galamsey Economy”: The illicit tax creates a self-sustaining local economy that corrupts community leaders, traditional authorities, and youth, making the fight against illegal mining not just an enforcement issue but a community-wide moral and economic challenge.

Practical Advice: Pathways to Accountability and Reform

For the Government and NDC Leadership

• Immediate Administrative Action: Suspend the implicated DCEs (and any other named officials) pending a full, independent investigation. This is non-negotiable for demonstrating seriousness.
• Empower Independent Investigators: The investigation must be led by bodies with perceived independence, such as the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) and the Office of the Special Prosecutor, in close coordination with the Attorney General. The police investigation must also be seen to be insulated from local political interference.
• Full Transparency: Publish the full, unedited documentary and all subsequent investigation reports. Hold a press briefing detailing the exact legal charges to be brought and the evidence trail.
• Systemic Review: Launch a comprehensive review of the appointment, oversight, and performance evaluation mechanisms for DCEs, specifically focusing on their role in natural resource governance and environmental protection.

For Civil Society and the Media

• Sustained Advocacy: Maintain pressure through consistent reporting, community forums in affected districts, and legal actions (e.g., suing for enforcement of environmental laws).
• Citizen Evidence Gathering: Support and protect whistleblowers at the district level who have evidence of the “tax” system. Create safe, anonymous channels for reporting.
• Public Education: Launch campaigns that clearly link the local “galamsey tax” to national consequences: polluted drinking water, lost agricultural GDP, and climate vulnerability. Frame it as a theft from every Ghanaian.

For Citizens and Communities

• Document and Report: Use smartphones to discreetly record evidence of illegal mining activities and any interactions with officials demanding payments. Report through official channels (Police, Minerals Commission) and to trusted media/NGOs.
• Community Resistance: Form or strengthen community watchdog committees, with support from traditional leaders, to monitor and resist the encroachment of illegal miners and the corrupt officials who enable them.
• Political Leverage: During elections and party primaries, make candidates’ stances on galamsey corruption a key issue. Demand commitments to transparency in district-level appointments.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What exactly is the “A Tax for Galamsey” documentary alleging?

The documentary alleges that a formalized, illicit system exists where District Chief Executives and other local officials demand and receive regular payments from illegal small-scale mining operators. In return, these officials provide protection from law enforcement, allow mining in prohibited zones (like forests and near rivers), and facilitate the operations. It’s presented as a state-sanctioned extortion racket that turns a crime into a taxed local industry.

Why is Dr. Manteaw, who seems sympathetic to the NDC, warning his own party?

Dr. Manteaw is positioning himself as a policy and governance purist. His primary allegiance is to the “national interest” and environmental preservation, not partisan defense. He sees the scandal as a direct threat to the integrity and policy success of the Mahama administration. His warning is a strategic appeal to the NDC to avoid the massive political cost of being seen as the party that protects environmental criminals, which would cripple its legacy and electoral prospects.

What are the potential legal consequences for the implicated DCEs if found guilty?

If prosecuted and convicted, the DCEs could face severe penalties under several Ghanaian laws. These include the Minerals and Mining Act (for illegal mining facilitation), the Environmental Protection Agency Act (for causing environmental harm), the Criminal Offences Act (for corruption, extortion, and abuse of office), and potentially the Public Procurement Act if contracts or tenders are involved. Penalties range from significant fines to lengthy imprisonment. They would also be subject to dismissal from public office and asset forfeiture.

Is illegal mining (“galamsey”) really that damaging?

Yes, the scientific and economic evidence is overwhelming. Illegal mining in Ghana is a primary driver of:

• Water Pollution: Mercury and cyanide contamination render major water sources like the Pra and Ankobrah rivers toxic, affecting drinking water, fisheries, and downstream agriculture.
• Deforestation: Vast tracts of tropical rainforest and cocoa farmlands are cleared, destroying biodiversity and carbon sinks.
• Land Degradation: Unfilled mining pits (“galamsey pits”) become death traps and render land unusable for decades.
• Economic Loss: The state loses billions in mineral revenue, taxes, and royalties. Legal mining companies face an uneven playing field. Agriculture, a more stable economic sector, is destroyed.

What happens if the government fails to act decisively?

A failure to act would have dire consequences:

• Complete Loss of Credibility: The Mahama administration would be perceived as either weak or complicit, emboldening other corrupt networks.
• Increased Civil Society and International Pressure: Groups like the Global Witness, environmental NGOs, and international partners may question Ghana’s commitment to environmental agreements (like the Minamata Convention on Mercury) and good governance.
• Escalation of the Problem: The “tax” system would become more entrenched, making future eradication exponentially harder. Environmental degradation would accelerate.
• Electoral Backlash: The issue would become a potent weapon for the opposition in the next election cycle, framed as the “party of galamsey.”

Conclusion: A Defining Moment for Governance

The “A Tax for Galamsey” exposé is more than a sensational news report; it is a stress test for Ghanaian democracy and the NDC’s governance. It strips away the complexity of the galamsey problem to its most corrosive core: the alleged collusion between political appointees and criminal enterprise for profit, at the expense of the environment and the public trust. Dr. Manteaw’s warning is a lifeline to his party—a chance to demonstrate that it can, indeed, put principle above partisan shield. The government’s stated commitment to letting “the law take its course” must now be proven through swift, transparent, and severe action against the named officials. Anything less will confirm the public’s worst fears about systemic corruption and render all previous and future declarations against illegal mining utterly hollow. The fight against galamsey cannot be won on the battlefield alone; it must first be won in the courts and in the court of public opinion, by holding the powerful officials who enable it fully accountable.

Sources and References

• JoyNews Documentary: ‘A Tax for Galamsey’. Aired February 9, 2026. [Primary