Ghana’s battle against illegal mining, known as galamsey, has taken a troubling turn with reports that foreign militants have been hired to protect illegal mining sites.
According to journalist Saddick Adams of Angel FM, illegal miners operating in the country’s forests, particularly in the Western Region, have enlisted armed mercenaries from Cameroon, Ivory Coast, and Burkina Faso to secure their operations.
These heavily armed fighters are allegedly stationed at various galamsey sites, ensuring that illegal miners can operate without interference from law enforcement or government officials. Reports suggest that these mercenaries, some of whom have ties to terrorism, are ready to use deadly force to defend the illicit mining operations.
The growing influence of these foreign fighters has raised significant security concerns. Recent reports highlight violent confrontations between illegal miners and security personnel.
In the Offin Shelterbelt Forest Reserve in the Ashanti Region, a Forestry Commission Rapid Response officer was ambushed by armed galamsey operators, suffering a deep machete wound to his knee. Witnesses claim that the attackers were well-armed and prepared to retaliate against enforcement efforts.
To counter the escalating crisis, the government has launched several initiatives, including the newly introduced Blue Water Initiative under the “Reset Ghana Agenda.”
On March 17, 2025, Lands Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah announced plans to train and deploy 2,000 river guards to monitor water bodies and combat illegal mining activities. The first batch of 460 personnel has already been deployed, but many experts fear that these efforts may not be enough.
Veteran journalist Dan Kweku Yeboah has expressed skepticism about the initiative, arguing that if military personnel have been attacked and killed in the line of duty, the newly recruited river guards may struggle to resist threats, intimidation, and bribery from illegal miners and their mercenary protectors.
With foreign militants now actively involved in defending illegal mining operations, Ghana faces a new and dangerous phase in the fight against galamsey. The government will need to take decisive action to curb the growing influence of armed groups and prevent further environmental destruction and loss of life.
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