Eco-Africa Network Demands Dismissal and Prosecution of Officers in Explosive Galamsey Corruption Scandal

A major Ghanaian environmental civil society organization, the Eco-Africa Network, has issued a stern ultimatum to the government following a damning investigative documentary. The network is demanding the immediate dismissal and criminal prosecution of public officials, including the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Amansie Central, implicated in a systemic extortion racket tied to illegal mining, locally known as galamsey. This call to action follows the release of PleasureNews’s investigative piece, ‘A Tax for Galamsey’, which provides evidence that state authority is being weaponized to facilitate, rather than prevent, environmental devastation. The Network has escalated the issue from an environmental crisis to a “national governance emergency,” outlining a five-point plan for systemic reform.

Introduction: When Guardians Become Perpetrators

The battle against illegal mining in Ghana has long been fraught with challenges, but a new investigative report has allegedly exposed a deeply entrenched and sinister dynamic: public officials tasked with enforcing the law are, according to the evidence presented, actively profiting from the destruction. The Eco-Africa Network’s response to the PleasureNews documentary frames this not merely as a failure of enforcement, but as a fundamental betrayal of public trust and a direct threat to the nation’s ecological and socio-economic future. This article provides a comprehensive, SEO-optimized analysis of the scandal, the Network’s demands, the broader context of Ghana’s galamsey crisis, and actionable pathways toward accountability and restoration.

Key Points: The Core Allegations and Demands

The crux of the situation revolves around documented evidence of a formalized extortion system. Based on the PleasureNews investigation, the following key points have been established by the Eco-Africa Network:

• Systemic Extortion Racket: Public officers, including the Amansie Central DCE, are accused of systematically taxing, issuing receipts for, and providing security to illegal mining operations, effectively legalizing plunder for personal gain.
• Governance Emergency: The Network argues that when state actors facilitate environmental crimes, it transforms the issue from an environmental disaster into a crisis of national governance, undermining the rule of law.
• Five-Point Action Plan: The Network mandates: 1) Immediate sacking and prosecution of implicated officers; 2) An independent, transparent investigation; 3) Strict, apolitical enforcement of mining and environmental laws; 4) Immediate ecological restoration involving local communities; 5) Investment in sustainable, youth-led livelihood alternatives.
• Existential Threat: The pollution of vital water bodies and degradation of agricultural land are portrayed as an existential threat to Ghana’s youth and food security.

Background: The Galamsey Crisis in Ghana

What is “Galamsey”?

Galamsey is a Ghanaian portmanteau of “gather” and “sell,” referring to the informal, often illegal practice of small-scale gold mining. While some galamsey operates legally under license, the term is synonymous with unlicensed, destructive operations that ignore environmental and safety regulations.

Historical Context and Environmental Impact

Illegal mining has plagued Ghana for over a decade, peaking during periods of high global gold prices. The methods, particularly the use of mercury for gold extraction and the diversion of rivers for silt washing, have led to:

• Severe Water Pollution: Major rivers like the Pra, Ankobra, and Offin have been contaminated with heavy metals (mercury, arsenic) and silt, destroying aquatic life and making water unsafe for consumption and irrigation.
• Land Degradation and Deforestation: Vast tracts of forest and farmland are decimated, leaving behind lunar-like landscapes prone to erosion and flooding.
• Public Health Crisis: Communities near polluted water sources report high incidences of skin diseases, respiratory problems, and long-term risks from heavy metal poisoning.
• Economic Loss: The state loses significant revenue from uncollected taxes and royalties, while legitimate mining companies face an uneven playing field.

Previous Government Efforts and Challenges

Successive governments have launched military-style operations (e.g., Operation Vanguard) to combat galamsey, often with temporary success. However, these efforts have been criticized for a lack of sustainability, allegations of corruption within the task forces themselves, and the failure to address the root causes: poverty, unemployment, and the perceived complicity of local elites and traditional authorities. The recent establishment of a Specialised High Court Division by Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie to handle mining and environmental crimes underscores the judicial system’s attempt to create a dedicated legal framework for these complex cases.

Analysis: From Environmental Crisis to Governance Emergency

The Eco-Africa Network’s reframing of the issue is pivotal. The documentary’s evidence suggests the problem is no longer one of *ignoring* illegal activity, but of *orchestrating* it. This shifts the paradigm in several critical ways:

The Corruption of the Enforcement Chain

If local government officials (like the DCE), police, and traditional leaders are allegedly receiving payments and providing protection, the entire enforcement architecture is compromised. It creates a perverse incentive where stopping illegal mining would mean cutting off a revenue stream for corrupt actors. This represents a classic “state capture” scenario at a district level, where criminal enterprises systematically infiltrate and manipulate state institutions.

The Erosion of Public Trust and Social License

When citizens perceive that the state is in cahoots with destroyers of their land and water, social cohesion breaks down. It fuels cynicism, encourages vigilante actions, and can lead to conflicts between communities, miners, and security forces. The Network’s warning about sacrificing the environment for “the short-term gains of a few powerful individuals” highlights the profound distributive injustice at play, where collective national wealth and heritage are pillaged for private benefit.

Legal and Constitutional Implications

Ghana’s 1992 Constitution and statutes like the Minerals and Mining Act (Act 703) and the Environmental Protection Agency Act mandate the sustainable management of natural resources. The alleged actions of the officials, if proven, constitute multiple breaches:

• Abuse of Office/Public Office Corruption: Using official position for illicit financial gain.
• Aiding and Abetting a Crime: Facilitating illegal mining operations.
• Violation of Environmental Laws: Condoning acts that cause pollution and degradation.
• Breach of Fiduciary Duty: Failing in the duty to protect public assets (land, water) for current and future generations.

The demand for prosecution under these existing laws is therefore not a call for new legislation, but for the rigorous application of current statutes without political interference.

Practical Advice: A Path to Accountability and Restoration

The Eco-Africa Network’s five-point plan provides a actionable blueprint. For it to succeed, coordinated pressure from civil society, the media, and the public is essential.

For Civil Society and Media Organizations:

• Sustained Advocacy: Keep the issue on the national agenda through reports, community forums, and strategic litigation.
• Citizen Journalism & Documentation: Empower local communities to document environmental damage and alleged corruption with geo-tagged evidence, following the model of investigative outlets like PleasureNews.
• Coalition Building: Form broad alliances across environmental, human rights, governance, and youth groups to amplify demands for action.

For Government and Oversight Institutions:

• Act on the Documentary Evidence: The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), and the Police Criminal Investigations Department (CID) must treat the documentary as a formal tip-off and launch their own parallel, credible investigations.
• Suspend Pending Investigation: All named officials, including the DCE, should be immediately suspended with full pay pending the outcome of independent probes to prevent witness intimidation or evidence tampering.
• Resource the Specialised Court: Provide the new High Court Division with the necessary human, logistical, and technical resources (e.g., environmental forensics expertise) to prosecute cases efficiently and set deterrent precedents.

For Affected Communities and the Public:

• Organize Peacefully: Form community watchdog committees to monitor local officials and mining activities, documenting and reporting infringements through official channels and to the media.
• Demand Transparency: Use the Right to Information Act (RTI Act, 2019) to request data on mining licenses, royalties paid, and district assembly budgets related to mining.
• Participate in Restoration: Engage proactively in any government or NGO-led land restoration projects to ensure they are community-owned and sustainable.

FAQ: Addressing Common Questions

What is the “A Tax for Galamsey” documentary about?

The PleasureNews investigative documentary allegedly provides undercover footage and testimonies showing how district-level public officials, including the DCE for Amansie Central, have established a system where illegal miners pay regular “taxes” or “fees” to operate with impunity. These payments are receipted, and the officials provide security, effectively institutionalizing the illegal activity.

Why is this different from previous anti-galamsey efforts?

Previous efforts focused on the miners themselves, often treating them as the primary problem. This exposé, if accurate, points to the highest levels of local governance as the *enablers*. This means any effective solution must target the patronage networks and corrupt officials, not just the foot soldiers.

What laws are the alleged officers breaking?

Potential violations include: Corruption under the Anti-Corruption Act, aiding and abetting a crime under the Criminal Code, abuse of office, and multiple breaches of the Minerals and Mining Act and Environmental Protection Agency Act regarding unlawful mining and pollution.

What is “ecological restoration” in this context?

This refers to the scientifically guided process of rehabilitating degraded mine sites and polluted waterways. It involves re-contouring landscapes, re-vegetating with native species, treating acid mine drainage, and restocking water bodies. It is a long-term, costly process requiring technical expertise and sustained funding.

What are “sustainable alternatives” to galamsey?

These are viable, legal income-generating activities for youth and communities in mining-affected areas. They include: agroforestry (e.g., planting cocoa, teak), aquaculture (fish farming in rehabilitated pits), beekeeping, ecotourism, and formal small-scale mining with proper licenses and environmental management plans. The key is providing start-up capital, training, and market access.

Conclusion: A Defining Moment for Ghana’s Governance

The Eco-Africa Network’s forceful response to the PleasureNews exposé represents more than a call for personnel changes; it is a litmus test for Ghana’s commitment to the rule of law and sustainable development. The alleged collusion between public officials and illegal miners strikes at the heart of democratic accountability and intergenerational justice. The government’s response will signal whether it prioritizes political patronage or the sovereign right of citizens to a healthy environment and accountable leadership. The five-point plan offers a comprehensive, non-partisan roadmap. Its implementation requires unwavering political will, courageous oversight from independent institutions, and sustained civic vigilance. The future of Ghana’s “death ecosystems”—its rivers, forests, and farmlands—and the trust of its citizens in the state hang in the balance. This is indeed a national governance emergency that demands a national, principled response.

Sources and Further Reading

• Eco-Africa Network Official Statement (February 9, 2026).
• PleasureNews Investigative Documentary: ‘A Tax for Galamsey’ (2026).
• Constitution of the Republic of Ghana, 1992. Chapter 5 (The Directive Principles of State Policy) and Chapter 6 (The Judiciary).
• Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703).
• Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1994 (Act 490).
• Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959).
• Ghana’s Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989).
• Ghana Forestry Commission. (Various Years). State of Ghana’s Forests Report.
• Ghana Water Resources Commission. (Various Years). National Water Quality Monitoring Reports.
• News Reports on the Establishment of the Specialised High Court Division for Mining and Environmental Crimes (2024-2026).
• Historical Analysis: Yeboah, T. (2020). The Political Economy of Galamsey in Ghana. Institute for Security Studies.

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