Speaking on JoyNews’ The Pulse on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, Mr Ashigbey said the ongoing effort to curb the galamsey remains a long-standing national challenge that has caused extensive damage to the country’s water bodies and forest reserves.
However, he stressed that the current administration has taken decisive steps that deserve recognition.
According to him, the President has consistently shown commitment to addressing the problem, with strong backing from the Minister responsible for Lands and Natural Resources, who has been at the forefront of the anti-galamsey campaign.
Mr Ashigbey said one of the major positives was the period when the minister served as Acting Minister for Environment, during which concrete actions were taken to strengthen the fight.
He pointed to the establishment and operationalisation of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) as a key milestone.
“For the first time, we are seeing sustained operations by NAIMOS and the impact they are making on the ground,” he said.
Mr Ashigbey cited improvements in the condition of some polluted water bodies as evidence of progress. He referenced comments by the President on improved turbidity levels in certain rivers, noting that while turbidity is scientifically measured and not described in everyday terms, the broader point remains that conditions have improved due to targeted interventions.
He explained that the improvement in the Ayensu River, which the President recently referred to, is largely the result of extensive operations carried out by NAIMOS in that area.
“That tells us that if what NAIMOS has done there is replicated across other affected areas, the situation will significantly improve,” he added.
The Media Coalition Against Galamsey, he said, has also been engaging the President on additional measures to sustain the gains made so far. One of the key proposals discussed was the establishment of permanent NAIMOS bases in known galamsey hotspots.
Mr Ashigbey expressed concern that, although the idea was welcomed, it is yet to be fully implemented.
He further revealed that the President has tasked the coalition to continuously monitor turbidity levels in major water bodies as part of efforts to track progress and ensure that interventions are yielding measurable results.
Mr Ashigbey concluded that while challenges remain, it is important to fairly assess the work done so far. “The coalition has done some work, the institutions have done some work, and above all, there is clear political will. We must acknowledge that if we are to win this fight,” he stated.
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Source: www.myjoyonline.com