Chinese Ambassador Urges Ghana to Take Galamsey Seriously
The Chinese Embassy in Ghana has strongly urged a more resolute national effort to combat illegal mining, commonly known as ‘galamsey’, despite reaffirming its commitment to supporting the government’s fight against the practice.
Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Tong Defa, issued the call during a training workshop on “Green Mining: Best Practices for Responsible Reporting” organized by the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Peduase on Thursday, December 11, 2025.
Ambassador Defa emphasized that while China is willing to collaborate, the ultimate responsibility for addressing the environmental and economic devastation caused by galamsey lies with Ghana. He stated that the issue is deeply rooted and requires sustained commitment from all stakeholders.
“For us, we support the Ghanaian government to tackle this problem. As I have reiterated many times in this country, Ghanaians must take the galamsey issue seriously. If you do not take it seriously, there is no simple way out. We want to reiterate that the Chinese should do things legally,” he stated.
The Ambassador’s remarks highlight concerns that insufficient enforcement and local complacency are undermining efforts to curb illegal mining. The Chinese government, he added, has a firm policy of requiring its citizens abroad to respect local laws and supports the prosecution of any nationals involved in illicit activities.
Beyond the galamsey issue, Ambassador Defa appealed to the Ghanaian media to present a balanced portrayal of the relationship between Ghana and China. He cautioned against generalizing the actions of a few individuals to negatively represent the entire Chinese community.
He pointed to the numerous Chinese companies engaged in large-scale, sustainable mining operations, technology transfer, and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects that benefit local communities, urging the media to highlight these positive contributions.
The Ambassador’s warning comes as the impact of galamsey on Ghana’s environment and economy becomes increasingly apparent. Hundreds of rivers and water sources are polluted with mercury and cyanide, forcing the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) to spend substantial amounts annually on water treatment. Furthermore, thousands of acres of cocoa and food farms have been destroyed, threatening food security and the country’s cocoa exports.
The call for seriousness directly addresses the ongoing national debate regarding the political will needed to enforce strict measures and eliminate galamsey effectively.
Image Source: MYJOYONLINE
