Ghana Launches Sweeping Mining Reforms to Tackle Illegal Mining and Boost Community Benefits

Ghana is undertaking its most comprehensive mining law reforms in nearly two decades, aiming to combat illegal mining (galamsey) and ensure local communities benefit directly from mining revenues. The new laws will shorten mining licence durations, require direct revenue-sharing with affected communities, and introduce stricter oversight and enforcement measures. The government has intensified its crackdown on illegal mining, arresting over 1,300 individuals and seizing hundreds of excavators and machinery. Initiatives like the Blue Water Guards and the establishment of an anti-galamsey secretariat are part of a broader strategy to restore environmental integrity and promote responsible mining. These reforms reflect a shift towards balancing investment, environmental protection, and community welfare in Ghana's mining sector.