The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has launched a full-scale investigation into suspected corruption linked to illegal small-scale mining, commonly referred to as “galamsey.”
This move comes amid growing concerns over the severe environmental damage caused by unregulated mining, particularly to Ghana’s water bodies.
The widespread destruction has led several civil society groups, including organized labour, to call for the government to declare a state of emergency in regions most affected by illegal mining.
The goal is to address the long-term environmental, social, and economic consequences of galamsey activities.
Speaking at a conference in Accra to assess Ghana’s Beneficial Ownership regime, Samuel Appiah Darko, Director of Research and Communication at the OSP, outlined the scope of the investigation.
He indicated that the probe would go beyond surface-level violations of mining regulations to examine deeper issues of corruption that have facilitated the rise of illegal mining.
Darko emphasized that the investigation would focus on the involvement of influential individuals and groups who have enabled or profited from illegal mining operations.
He reiterated the OSP’s commitment to tackling not only the legal breaches related to mining but also the systemic corruption embedded in the industry.
“We are doing our investigation into illegal mining separately from the semplicità of somebody has mined without a licence…Those are for police to be dealing with.
“Ours take a bit of time because we need to be going round to be sure that money exchanged hands before the person going into the field,” he stated.
By: Fauzu Masawudu
