Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, Acting Chief Justice of Ghana, has issued a powerful call to our leaders: the galamsey crisis can no longer be dealt with in fits and starts. With environment after environment laid waste, farms destroyed, water sources poisoned, and families displaced, the issue has escalated into an existential threat — and only bold, decisive action will do.
Speaking at the Ghana Bar Association’s annual conference in Wa, where his speech was delivered by Supreme Court Justice Hafisata Amaleboba, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie urged for the immediate repeal of Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462, which currently permits certain types of mining activity in forest reserves. He described this repeal as a necessary first step if we are to hope for an effective solution.
“We cannot continue to dither in September 2025 … The time to act is now without any further delay.” — Acting Chief Justice Baffoe-Bonnie
Key Concerns Highlighted
- Environmental devastation: Rivers polluted, forests stripped, farmlands degraded.
- Human toll: Daily lives disrupted — families forced to move, farmers lose livelihoods, rural communities exposed to health risks from mercury and other toxins.
- Food security & economic damage: Crop yields drop; the cost of living rises; rural incomes fall; national food supplies threatened.
- Security issues: Illegal mining sites often become havens for crime, with weak oversight allowing foreign and local actors to exploit law enforcement gaps.
What Needs to Follow
- Immediate Repeal of L.I. 2462
This is the legal framework that is said to permit mining activities even in forest reserves. Justice Baffoe-Bonnie names this as a priority. - Stronger Enforcement & Penalties
Laws must be followed by credible enforcement. Equipment seizures, arrests, prosecutions should be swift, transparent, and consistent. - Community Participation & Local Intelligence
Survivors of galamsey, farming communities, and local traditional authorities must be involved in detection, reporting, and remediation efforts. - Public Health Measures & Environmental Remediation
Monitoring water and soil quality; support for health care access in affected areas; reforestation; and clean-up of polluted lands. - Political Will & Leadership
The Acting Chief Justice urges political leaders not merely to issue statements, but to lead with conviction. Only political leaders who prioritize this fight will produce lasting results.
Conclusion
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s message is unambiguous: galamsey is no longer one among many problems—it is a national emergency. Ghana cannot afford further delay. The forests, rivers, farms, health, and futures of everyday citizens depend on bold decisions now. The time to act is now.
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