Ending Galamsey: Alan Kyerematen Proposes Harsh Penalties for Illegal Mining

Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, the presidential hopeful from the Movement for Change, has vowed to tackle illegal mining, or galamsey, with life sentences for offenders.

At an event hosted by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) in Accra on October 1, 2024, Kyerematen outlined his plans to protect Ghana’s water resources if elected in the upcoming elections.

He emphasized that a mere 10-year prison term fails to deter illegal activities and called for more stringent penalties, including life imprisonment.

His strategy includes a one-year moratorium on all small-scale community mining, regardless of legality, to expedite the cleanup of Ghana’s polluted rivers.

Alan Kyerematen pledged to implement new laws prohibiting mining in sensitive areas like riverbanks and forest reserves, with strict penalties for violators. “We need to ensure that punishments have a real impact,” he stated, highlighting the inadequacy of short sentences given the financial incentives of galamsey.

In addition to punitive measures, Alan Kyerematen promised to support youth-led mining enterprises by providing seed capital for responsible and sustainable mining practices.