Bui Dam Threatened by Illegal Mining – Edudzi Tameklo

Godwin Edudzi Tameklo, CEO of the National Petroleum Authority, has raised concerns about the impact of illegal small-scale mining, known locally as galamsey, on the structural integrity of the Bui Dam. According to him, the situation is alarming and requires urgent attention.

Speaking on TV3’s Key Points on Saturday, April 19, Mr. Tameklo emphasized the gravity of the issue, noting that the dam, which cost $600 million to build, is now at risk. He expressed confidence in President John Dramani Mahama and the nation’s security agencies to tackle the problem head-on.

“The Bui Dam is under threat… we spent 600 million dollars to construct this facility,” he stated.

He added that the security services are actively engaged in operations to clamp down on illegal miners, although the public expects even more decisive action. “People want more, but I can assure you, the security forces are not idling,” he said.

Mr. Tameklo also pointed out that the galamsey issue is a long-standing problem that President Mahama is committed to addressing. Regarding the involvement of foreign nationals in illegal mining, he said the Forestry Commission had always been aware of these settlements. “I trust President Mahama to confront this head-on. Galamsey has been a disaster over the past eight years,” he added.

Meanwhile, Senyo Hosi, Convener of the One Ghana Movement, has described the galamsey situation as a sign that Ghana is on the verge of becoming a failed state. He argued for a tough stance against illegal miners, especially as some of them have reportedly engaged in violent confrontations with security forces.

Hosi called for a thorough investigation into how foreign nationals involved in galamsey were able to establish entire communities undetected. “This is a serious national security concern. How can foreigners build such well-established, unregistered communities in Ghana? It’s terrifying and shameful,” he said.

He emphasized that the state must act decisively: “We must be ruthless. Armed galamseyers shooting at our security forces is unacceptable. The President must take charge and not let the country down.”

In response to the crisis, a joint task force from the Western Region Forestry Commission and the military raided Abrewa Ninkrane, a known galamsey hub within the Subri Forest Reserve, on Tuesday, April 15. During the operation, they destroyed numerous makeshift camps reportedly operated by foreign nationals from Nigeria, Guinea, Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso.

The operation, aimed at protecting the Subri Forest, revealed extensive environmental destruction, including the clearing of large tracts of vegetation. Nana Kwabena Bosompim, the Western Regional Forestry Manager, reported that the illegal miners had built functional living and business spaces, including wooden brothels.

He warned that further illegal activities in forest reserves and water bodies would not be tolerated, adding that the task force will remain in the area for two weeks to ensure the miners do not return.

According to Bosompim, the area had become so attractive that some young girls preferred working in the galamsey community to attending school. “We estimated 2,000 miners but found over 10,000. It was impossible to arrest them all, so we focused on destroying their operations,” he said.

He concluded by encouraging miners to engage in legal practices to avoid such confrontations.