Eastern Regional Minister Gives MDCEs 2 Weeks to Profile All Miners and Financiers
The Eastern Regional Minister, Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, has issued a two-week ultimatum to all Municipal and District Chief Executives (MDCEs) to compile a detailed profile of all miners and their financiers operating within their jurisdictions.
The directive, announced during a crucial meeting in Koforidua on Monday, October 6, 2025, seeks to distinguish licensed miners from those engaged in illegal mining activities, particularly along river bodies and forest reserves.
The high-level engagement brought together MDCEs, NDC constituency executives, traditional leaders, and other key stakeholders. It was also attended by the Deputy General Secretary of the NDC, Mustapha Gbande.
Mrs. Awatey explained that the move aligns with President John Dramani Mahama’s renewed national effort to combat illegal mining (galamsey), following his recent consultation with civil society organizations (CSOs) at the Jubilee House to develop sustainable anti-galamsey strategies.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, the minister said the government is fully committed to enforcing mining and environmental laws without fear or favour.
“Illegal mining is not just a regional issue — it is a national and environmental problem, and the nation is not taking it kindly at all,” she stressed.
“I have charged all Municipal and District Chief Executives to go into their communities and profile all mining centres and their owners. Within two weeks, every miner must be known — those with proper licences and those operating illegally.”
The minister further directed that all miners operating along river bodies or in forest reserves must vacate such areas within two weeks, warning that defaulters will face prosecution.
“We are using this period to identify every mining site and operator. We know some are mining in several areas without proper licences — those are the ones we are targeting. As a Regional Minister, I have full confidence that the MDCEs will ensure the laws are enforced across their districts,” Mrs. Awatey said.
She also reiterated that water bodies and forest reserves remain protected zones, and mining in such areas violates both national and environmental laws.
Mrs. Awatey commended the active involvement of party executives, traditional rulers, and local authorities, describing their collaboration as key to the region’s success in fighting galamsey.
“This collective approach — involving constituency chairmen, organisers, and secretaries — ensures that both by-laws and national mining regulations are properly enforced across the Eastern Region,” she added.
The profiling exercise begins immediately and will serve as the foundation for a comprehensive regional operation against illegal mining once the two-week deadline expires.
Source – My News Ghana
About the Author
