Weija-Gbawe MP criticises gov't over gold sector management, illegal mining

The Second Deputy Minority Whip and Member of Parliament for Weija-Gbawe Constituency in the Greater Accra Region, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, has criticised the government’s handling of the country’s precious minerals sector, accusing authorities of merely rebranding state institutions while failing to address the growing menace of illegal mining.

Delivering a statement during the debate on the State of the Nation Address 2026 in Parliament, the MP alleged that the restructuring of the Precious Minerals Marketing Company into the proposed GoldBod does little to tackle the root causes of illegal mining, widely known as galamsey.

Shaib warned that the environmental consequences of illegal mining have become severe, citing widespread deforestation and land degradation across the country.

“Everywhere you pass, there is galamsey. Galamsey has become a problem to the extent that if we don’t take care, you will not be found alive in the next 20 years,” he said.

The MP also criticised what he described as government inaction and misplaced priorities, arguing that authorities appear more focused on rebranding institutions than addressing the environmental and economic impacts of illegal mining.

He further raised concerns about the management of Ghana’s gold reserves, referencing the reported sale of 18 tonnes of gold valued at about $2.22 billion and a plan to repurchase similar reserves at a higher value of approximately $3.4 billion.

Shaib questioned the financial implications of the transaction and called for greater transparency and accountability in the management of the country’s mineral resources.

He urged the government to treat the illegal mining crisis as a national security issue and take decisive steps to protect Ghana’s forests, water bodies and natural resources from further destruction.