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Tano North MP sounds alarm over galamsey devastation, accuses officials of shielding perpetrators
May 2, 2026
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Tano North MP sounds alarm over galamsey devastation, accuses officials of shielding perpetrators

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Policy

Key Points

  • The MP for Tano North, Dr Gideon Boako, has expressed deep disappointment over the severe escalation of illegal mining (galamsey) and logging in his constituency.
  • He accuses government appointees, police, national security, and traditional authorities of complicity in shielding perpetrators, leading to widespread environmental destruction.
  • The activities have devastated forest reserves like Bosomkese and polluted the Tano River, a crucial water source, threatening public health through mercury and cyanide contamination.
  • Nationwide, galamsey has increased water treatment costs by over 300%, contributed to nearly 60% forest cover loss since 1950, and endangers Ghana's cocoa industry and formal timber sector.
  • Dr Boako is calling for an immediate joint security force clampdown and urges regulatory bodies like the EPA and Ministry of Lands to prioritize national preservation over political patronage.

Why This Matters

This issue is critical for Ghana as it highlights a severe threat to the nation's environmental sustainability, public health, and vital economic sectors like cocoa and timber. The alleged complicity of state actors undermines governance and the rule of law, potentially leading to long-term socio-economic instability and a irreversible loss of natural resources essential for future generations.

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