No Serious Gov’t Will Fight Galamsey with a Month-Trained River Guards – Kwasi Kwarteng

Kwasi Kwarteng, a private legal practitioner and a communicator for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has criticized the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government’s approach to tackling illegal small-scale mining, commonly known as galamsey.

No Serious Gov’t Will Fight Galamsey with a Month-Trained River Guards

According to Kwarteng, deploying river guards trained for only one month is an ineffective strategy that does little to address the deep-rooted issues of illegal mining. He argues that such an approach lacks seriousness and proper planning, calling for a more comprehensive and sustainable solution.

Kwarteng’s Criticism

In a social media post on Thursday, March 20, 2025, Kwarteng wrote:

“No serious government would attempt to fight galamsey using water guards trained for just one month.”

During an interview on GHOne TV, he went further, describing the initiative as a “lazy approach” to dealing with illegal mining. He emphasized that well-funded and highly organized illegal miners cannot be effectively stopped by individuals who receive only four weeks of training.

Kwarteng further argued that combating galamsey requires a long-term plan, involving not just enforcement but also technological solutions, community engagement, and stricter regulatory policies.

Background: The NDC’s River Guards Initiative

The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources recently introduced the river guards initiative, aimed at protecting Ghana’s rivers from illegal mining activities.

This project falls under the broader Blue Water Initiative, which seeks to restore polluted water bodies and prevent further degradation. The initiative’s primary goal is to deploy specially trained individuals to monitor and safeguard the nation’s rivers.

The program was officially launched at the Ezilinbo Naval Base in the Western Region on Monday, March 17, 2025, with President John Dramani Mahama in attendance.

Concerns Over Effectiveness

Despite the government’s intentions, Kwarteng and other critics have raised concerns about the efficacy of the river guards. They argue that:

1. A one-month training period is inadequate to equip guards with the skills needed to counter the highly organized and well-funded illegal mining syndicates.
2. Many galamsey operators are armed and technologically advanced, making it dangerous for undertrained guards to confront them.
3. Past attempts to deploy military and security forces have had limited success, raising doubts about the effectiveness of lightly trained river guards.
4. A lack of proper incentives and resources for river guards may lead to inefficiencies, making them susceptible to corruption or intimidation.

Kwarteng’s remarks reflect a larger debate on how best to fight illegal mining, with many stakeholders pushing for a multi-faceted strategy that includes law enforcement, community engagement, and economic alternatives for illegal miners.

Awaiting the NDC’s Response

As of now, the NDC government has yet to respond to Kwarteng’s comments. However, with public concern over illegal mining at an all-time high, it remains to be seen whether the government will re-evaluate its strategy or stand by its current plan.

The galamsey crisis remains a major environmental and economic issue in Ghana, and many believe that only a long-term, well-planned approach can bring lasting solutions.