As part of the activities marking the Ghana Institution of Surveyors’ (GhIS) 20th Surveyors Week and 56th Annual General Meeting, a Presidential Lecture was held on Friday, March 14, 2025, in Accra. The event, themed “Combating Galamsey: A Pandemic Approach to Eradicating Illegal Mining in Ghana,” brought together key stakeholders to address the pressing issue of illegal mining in the country.
Professor Patrick Agbesinyale, Chief Director of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, and Co-Chairperson of the event, addressed the gathering of professional surveyors. Reflecting on the history of surveying in Ghana, he emphasized the need for surveyors to play a significant role in restoring the integrity of the land sector and enhancing the reputation of the surveying profession.
Professor Agbesinyale described illegal mining as a pandemic requiring collective efforts to combat. He noted that while Ghana’s gold reserves attract foreign interest, it is crucial to deport foreign offenders and encourage Ghanaians to regularize and control mining activities.
“One of the downsides of galamsey is the rise in kidney diseases and research has established the fact that kidney problems have become epidemic. So we need to take action now, otherwise we are heading for danger,” he warned.
Dr. Francis Boateng Agyenim, Director of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Institute of Industrial Research and Co-Chair of the lecture, expressed concern over Ghana’s pursuit of wealth through illegal mining. He lamented the involvement of elites who, despite their awareness of the adverse effects, engage in such activities for personal gain.
Dr. Agyenim assured attendees that the lecture would serve as a meaningful platform for discussions and inspire actionable solutions to mitigate environmental degradation. He stressed the importance of promoting sustainable practices that prioritize the health and well-being of Ghanaians.
Delivering the keynote lecture, Surveyor Dr. Anthony Arko-Adjei, President of the Ghana Institution of Surveyors, highlighted the economic contributions of gold mining, which accounts for 5.7% of GDP and 40% of foreign exchange earnings. However, he cautioned that illegal mining poses severe environmental and social consequences.
Dr. Arko-Adjei urged that illegal mining be treated as an urgent public health issue. He also outlined its impact on the Built Environment, including water quality, survey infrastructure, urban planning, and land administration.
To address the challenge, he proposed several preventive measures, such as identifying social factors, assessing natural factors, engaging community informants, and strengthening the legal framework.
About The Author
