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March 31, 2026
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TaxForGalamey: Stop taxing galamsey immediately or face sanctions – Gov’t cautions MMDCEs
Money
Policy
Growth
Key Points
- The Ghanaian government has ordered all Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) to immediately cease taxing illegal miners.
- This directive follows an investigation into the JoyNews “Tax for Galamsey” exposé, which revealed district assemblies collecting levies from illegal mining operations.
- President John Mahama has mandated the halt of this practice in all mining areas while a government probe into the revelations is completed.
- Preliminary findings indicate that taxing changfan machines, used in illegal mining, has been a widespread and long-standing practice for local revenue generation.
- Any MMDCE defying the new order will face severe sanctions, and an orientation program will be organized to guide them on lawful revenue generation methods.
Why This Matters
This directive is crucial for Ghana as it directly addresses the systemic issue of illegal mining (galamsey) and its implicit legitimization through taxation by local authorities. By halting this practice, the government aims to strengthen its fight against widespread environmental degradation, protect vital natural resources, and ensure adherence to the rule of law across all levels of governance.
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