The Acting Ashanti Regional Security Coordinator, Captain (Retired) John Kwame Jabari, has expressed confidence in the President John Mahama-led government's commitment to combating illegal mining.

According to Jabari, President Mahama has demonstrated his political will to tackle the issue by warning his appointees and party members to refrain from engaging in illegal mining activities.

He revealed that security agencies have recently arrested some groups in the Ashanti Region who are facing prosecution for illegal mining.

This move, he said, is seen as a significant step towards addressing the environmental and economic challenges posed by illegal mining in Ghana by President John Mahama.

President Mahama has been vocal about his administration's plans to combat illegal mining, including auditing all concessions issued and identifying the beneficial owners of such concessions.

He has also pledged to promote responsible mining practices and impose stiffer punishments on those found guilty of illegal mining.

Captain (Retired) John Kwame Jabari outlined some measures to combat the menace during an interview on Otec FM’s morning show, “Nyansapo,” hosted by Isaac Osei Akoto, on Thursday, March 20, 2025.


“We are partnering with local police and small-scale miners in the mining communities to ensure total adherence to mining regulations,” he mentioned.

“We have the human resource capacity; the Police, the Military, the Immigration Service, and the Minerals Commission among others, are well-resourced to protect the water bodies and the forests,” he added.

He stressed that “with these measures backed by the political will shown by President John Mahama, illegal mining in the country will be drastically reduced to save the environment from destruction.”

On the same radio station's morning show, Michael Adu Gyamfi, the Ashanti Regional Secretary of the Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners, declared the association's willingness to collaborate with security agencies in the region to combat illegal mining.

To demonstrate the association's commitment to responsible mining practices, he warned that any member found engaging in any illegal mining activity would be named, shamed, and arrested for prosecution.

“As an organisation registered for responsible mining, our support is crucial in the fight against illegal mining. By working together with security agencies, we aim to promote sustainable mining practices and protect the environment,” Michael Adu Gyamfi emphasised.