The fallen eight were not going to fight galamsey but promote responsible mining – Inusah Fuseini
Former Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Inusah Fuseini, has clarified that the eight government officials who perished in the recent helicopter crash were not heading out to “fight galamsey,” but were on a mission to promote responsible mining in Ghana.
According to him, the late officials were tasked with instilling in mining communities a culture of environmental respect, particularly among those who had received legal licenses to mine.
“They were not going to fight galamsey, they were going to instill in the people the attitude and culture of respecting the environment after receiving licenses to mine,” he stated.
“Simply put, responsible mining means how to mine for mineral resources without damaging the environment.”
Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, 16 August, 2025, Mr. Fuseini explained that the ultimate sacrifice of the fallen officials should be honored, as they dedicated their lives to a cause that could shape the future of Ghana’s environment.
He likened their sacrifice to that of civilians drafted in times of war, stressing that their mission was a national service worthy of recognition.
“That is why we have called them gallant and heroes. They sacrificed their lives for the country,” he said.
Mr. Fuseini further stressed that the Responsible Mining Project, which the officials were to launch, was not about compulsion but about setting an example that sustainable mining was possible.
He noted that while illegal mining (galamsey) continues to devastate the country’s forests and water bodies, the project was to show that mining could be done without compromising the environment.
Citing global experiences, the former minister said:
“In some countries, they had to put notices on trees reminding people of their obligation to protect the forest. We must build this gradually. If responsible mining takes off, communities will begin to appreciate the benefits and reject illegal mining.”
Touching on community mining, Mr. Fuseini admitted that past approaches failed to deliver on expectations, often being hijacked by people with vested interests rather than serving local communities.
“Community mining, as we saw it, became an escalated form of galamsey. It is important to know who received licenses and how many people in the community were truly involved,” he cautioned.
He emphasized that the environment belongs to all Ghanaians, and protecting it is a shared responsibility.
“When we protect the environment, we are doing it for ourselves and for future generations,” he concluded.
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