Ghana to deport all foreign nationals involved in illegal mining

Ghana Interior Minister, Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka

|Published 3:00 PM ET, Tuesday April 08, 2025|

The Ghanaian government has recently announced a policy to deport foreign nationals involved in illegal mining activities, commonly known as “galamsey,” rather than prosecuting them within the country. Interior Minister Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka stated that this approach aims to swiftly remove individuals contributing to environmental degradation and other crimes. Deported individuals will also be placed on a stop list, preventing their re-entry into Ghana. ​

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This decision has elicited mixed reactions. Some officials, such as Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, have defended the policy, noting that numerous deportations have already been carried out without publicizing them. However, critics argue that deportation without prosecution may not serve as a sufficient deterrent. Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey, convener of the Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey, contends that such actions are illegal and undermine Ghana’s laws, particularly the 2019 amendment of Act 995, which mandates strict enforcement against illegal mining activities. ​

The policy also raises questions about the disparity in handling Ghanaian and foreign offenders. While local individuals involved in illegal mining face prosecution, foreign nationals are deported, leading to debates about fairness and effectiveness in addressing the galamsey issue comprehensively. ​

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Illegal mining has had severe environmental and economic consequences for Ghana, including polluted rivers, damaged farmlands, and significant tax revenue losses. The practice contributes to over a third of the country’s gold production but costs the state approximately $2 billion annually in lost taxes. The government’s approach to deport rather than prosecute foreign nationals involved in galamsey is part of its broader strategy to combat these challenges.

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