Ghanaian academic urges President Mahama to tackle illegal mining

Professor Godfred Bokpin of the University of Ghana Business School has called on President John Dramani Mahama to take decisive action against illegal mining, known as galamsey. This follows a mining pit collapse at Asaman Tamfoe in the Atewa East District on August 29, 2026, which resulted in the deaths of seven illegal miners.

The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) reported that approximately 30 people have died in mining-related incidents across the Eastern Region since January 2026. Prof. Bokpin emphasized that the President must address the environmental and human consequences of illegal mining to meet the high expectations of the Ghanaian electorate following the 2024 general elections.