Illegal mining, widely referred to as galamsey, has resurfaced on social media, prompting strong protests from Ghanaian netizens against this ongoing issue.

This reaction is on the back reports that some illegal miners in the Offin Shelterbelt forest reserve ambushed and attacked members of the Forestry Commission’s Rapid Response team.

A member of the team was reportedly brutally attacked with a machete by the galamseyers slashing his knee and leaving him in a life-threatening condition. The miners were also reported to be heavily armed, carrying assault rifles and machetes.

The incident has sparked widespread outrage and concern on X (formerly Twitter), with netizens demanding the enactment and enforcement of stricter punitive measures and a more robust approach to eradicating illegal mining.

Critics raised concerns over the effectiveness of the recently launched water guards by the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources to monitor river health, identify illegal mining activities and collaborate with local communities and traditional authorities to combat water pollution.

They questioned how the water guards, who are viewed as vulnerable and possibly ill-equipped would be able to combat the issue and apprehend those involved, considering the miners' tendency to attack without hesitation.

Others also proposed a tougher approach of ‘shoot to kill’ to dealing with what they describe as an 'organized cartel and syndicates.'

They further criticised the government for its apparent inaction since assuming power, despite campaigning heavily on the issue of galamsey and making promises to combat it.

They also accused the government of politicising the issue, which, in their view, should not have been politicised.

Read some of the posts under the trending topic below:

This Galamsey issue is simple. Treat the illegal miners as criminals or terrorists and wage war against them. Cos how tf are they heavily armed like this? Who is supplying the ammunition to them? Charley deploy the military to shoot and k^ll them all. Icl.

— Deezy ™ (@dennis_eyram) March 23, 2025

Galamsey has been allowed to thrive for far too long. We have been lenient in addressing this issue for so long that the culprits have become comfortable, empowered and sophisticated.

We need a harsher approach if we truly want to solve this thing.

— Dr. George (@GeorgeAnagli) March 23, 2025

👨🏾‍🍳🇬🇭: Most of the politicians who were vocal about Galamsey in opposition have left only the Lands Minister to face this fight.

Where’s the collective political will/pressure we saw in opposition?

Everybody want mind demma business for demma ministries/agencies eh?

Sure lol

— Ölele | Building OSN (@OleleSalvador) March 23, 2025

It’s a war against galamsey, that’s how it should be approached.

— Dr. George (@GeorgeAnagli) March 23, 2025

The fight against Galamsey is our version of Boko Haram, the sooner we deal with it the better for us before it becomes a full blown act of terrorism.

Tick Tick Boom..!

— Agyemang Duah Kweku jr. (@TheAgyemangDuah) March 23, 2025

They have their pay masters in power so Galamsey is no more a threat to our lives

— TWO TERTY (@TwoTerty_) March 23, 2025

K!LL GALAMSEY BEFORE IT K!LLS GHANAIANS!!!!! @JDMahama

— RAPHAEL AKAVANI (@Rafurl) March 23, 2025

We’re fighting real-life principalities in this galamsey battle. It’s a war atp

— Dr. George (@GeorgeAnagli) March 23, 2025

Galamsey is increasingly evolving into an organized cartel and a syndicate in its operations. At a crucial time like this, water guards become our best bet? https://t.co/ndL5ULHZml

— Daniel Henaku Ofori (@dy_henaku) March 23, 2025

If this attack on the forestry commission responder doesn’t trigger a violent response to the galamsey menance then we’re better off crowdfunding to hire assassins because the government just doesn’t care.

— Chris Chaka (@no_azonto_allwd) March 23, 2025

This are armed Cartels in Niger delta region fighting against Nigerian government over crude oil, Ghana will follow same path if we don’t rise and fight against Galamsey wholeheartedly. pic.twitter.com/hltOl2AuOu

— Muhammad Yaasiin (@Hajjyass70) March 23, 2025

Any Chinese found engaging in Galamsey should be trialed in Ghana and sentence to life imprisonment. Deporting them doesn’t solve anything

— Torgbuigà (@Mr_Ceyram) March 24, 2025

This NDC government will have no choice but to deploy the Ghana Army on a war footing to fight galamsey because galamsey is war, and the army will have to go to war.

They are just delaying the inevitable.

— YKGH (@YouKnowGhana) March 23, 2025