Ghana’s campaign against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, is once again under intense scrutiny following revelations that drones acquired to aid the fight have mysteriously gone missing.
The controversy deepened after the current Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, declared he has no idea where the drones are or what became of them.
The missing drones were part of an ambitious initiative introduced under former Environment Minister Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng.
They were meant to enhance surveillance capabilities and assist anti-galamsey operations such as Operation Vanguard.
The goal was to use advanced technology to monitor activities in forest reserves and along polluted river bodies like the Pra, Offin, and Ankobra.
However, years later, the impact of the initiative remains largely invisible. With the minister now distancing himself from the project, doubts have resurfaced about whether the drones were ever used effectively—or at all.
The lack of updates, tracking, or any public disclosure about the project has led to growing public frustration.
Environmental experts argue that Ghana’s approach to tackling galamsey has been riddled with political maneuvering and a lack of sustained commitment.
While the use of technology like drones was once hailed as a game-changer, the absence of accountability has turned the initiative into a national embarrassment.
For many, the missing drones symbolize deeper governance failures in the environmental sector.
Civil society organizations and anti-corruption advocates are demanding a full audit of the drone project.
They insist that the public deserves to know how resources allocated to combat illegal mining have been used.
With Ghana’s rivers increasingly contaminated and forest reserves rapidly depleting, the urgency of the matter cannot be overstated.
Observers note that this situation reflects a broader trend where well-publicized government projects quietly fade away, leaving behind unanswered questions and wasted resources.
The drone saga, in particular, has become a rallying point for those demanding transparency in the galamsey fight.
Calls are growing louder for the government to not only locate the missing drones but also to review the entire strategy for dealing with illegal mining.
Many Ghanaians feel disillusioned by what they perceive as repeated failures and half-hearted efforts.
The unfolding drama over the drones underscores a harsh reality: high-tech tools alone cannot fix systemic governance problems.
If Ghana is to make any real progress in the battle against galamsey, it will require more than just equipment—it will demand honest leadership, transparent processes, and a commitment to seeing initiatives through to the end.
As citizens continue to ask tough questions, the government faces mounting pressure to respond with action, not excuses.
The time for political blame games is over; the people want answers—and they want them now.
