Residents of Teleku-Bokazo and Anwia pledge to stop illegal mining

The Chiefs and people of Teleku-Bokazo and Anwia communities in Ellembelle district of the Western region, have pledged to end all forms illegal mining (galamsey) activities in their areas.

"We know that galamsey is not good but we don't have any work to do but now that the government has supported us to get permit to do responsible mining on Adamus Mining company concession, we will not do galamsey again, we are very happy today, initially we thought the government was deceiving us", they emphasised.

It would be recalled in September 2025, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources launched responsible and cooperative mining and skills training in these two communities in order to prevent the residents from involving themselves in galamsey activities.

Galamsey has been going on at Teleku Bokazo and Anwia over seven years and has affected their main source of drinking water and farmlands. It seems like the only work in these two communities are mining.

Government needs millions of cedis to reclaim their affected lands.

On Sunday, December 21, 2025, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources and MP for Ellembelle Constituency, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah handed over mining operating permit to the Chiefs and people of Teleku-Bokazo and Anwia in his Constituency to do responsible mining.

The Chiefs of these two communities thanked the government for helping them to get permit to mine responsibly.

They, therefore took the opportunity to pledge to deal ruthlessly with whoever attempts to return to old galamsey sites to mine illegally.

They also promised to use the proceeds of the mining to develop their communities.

"Galamsey is now a thing of the past in our communities, we will not allow anybody to do galamsey in our communities again and whoever will try it, will be dealt with ruthlessly", they emphasised.

Speaking at the official handing-over ceremony, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, stated that the initiative was a key intervention designed to eliminate harmful mining practices, particularly the use of mercury, which poses serious environmental and health risks.

He explained that miners operating under the initiative would undergo comprehensive training in responsible and sustainable mining methods.

In addition, the cooperatives would be supported with modern processing technologies and water treatment systems to significantly reduce pollution and environmental degradation.

"The cooperatives will be guided by strict rules and regulations", he said.

He emphasised that, "One of the major challenges miners face is access to water for processing. Under this initiative, we are introducing modern technologies that allow miners to extract minerals efficiently and in high volumes without the use of mercury".

Armah-Kofi Buah stated that the initiative would not only improve mining practices but also ensure environmental protection, safeguard water bodies, and enhance livelihoods in mining communities.

On his part, Frank Asare Pedro, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Program appealed to members of the cooperatives to be law-abiding and adhere strictly to responsible mining methods.

"Government is not against mining; it is against irresponsible mining", he stated.

He emphasised that, "One of the most effective ways to curb illegal mining is to regularise the sector by issuing licences. This allows regulatory bodies such as the Minerals Commission, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Water Resources Commission to properly supervise operations and ensure compliance with the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703)".

He added that rCOMSDEP would work closely with regulatory agencies to ensure that the cooperatives fully implement the mining practices they have been trained to adopt.

Joseph Nelson, the Western Regional Minister, expressed concern about the wanton destruction of water bodies and forest reserves caused by illegal mining activities.

He cautioned illegal miners (galamseyers) to desist from destructive practices and enrol under the Responsible Cooperative Mining initiative, warning that the law would soon catch up with those who refuse to comply.

The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Ellembelle, Joseph Agyekum commended the government for helping the residents of Teleku-Bokazo and Anwia to get mining operating permit to mine responsibly.

He promised to monitor the activities of the responsible mining at Teleku-Bokazo and Anwia in order to ensure that they don't violate the best practices of mining in Ghana.

The Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Program, a flagship initiative spearheaded by the Minister, forms part of government’s broader efforts to combat illegal mining while promoting responsible and sustainable mining practices.

This marks the official rollout of the Responsible Co operative Mining and Skills Development Programme in the mining communities in Ghana.

The two communities, whose residents are largely engaged in farming and small-scale mining, are the first beneficiaries of the programme.

With the permits, the cooperative has been granted access to mine at an abandoned concession relinquished by Adamus Mining Limited to the Government of Ghana believed to contain significant mineral deposits.

The development follows series of negotiations led by the Minister with Adamus Mining Limited to release the site for community-based mining.

With Anwia and Teleku Bokazo breaking the ice, the Ministry plans to roll out the program to other mining communities across the region and beyond, banking on the success of the Anwia–Teleku Bokazo Responsible Cooperative Mining Society as a model for responsible and sustainable mining in Ghana.