Duncan-Williams raises concerns over foreign involvement in galamsey
Action Chapel International founder Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams has suggested that Ghana’s illegal mining crisis is being driven by interests far bigger than many people realise, pointing to the involvement of foreign actors who continue to profit from the country’s gold resources.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, the Archbishop said the public often focuses on the visible destruction caused by galamsey but pays less attention to the individuals and networks benefiting financially from the trade. He argued that large sums of money are being generated from illegal mining operations, with some foreign nationals allegedly playing key roles behind the scenes.
The respected cleric indicated that information he has encountered over the years has convinced him that the economic stakes surrounding galamsey are enormous. He believes this helps explain why efforts to eliminate the practice have proven difficult despite repeated government interventions.
Duncan-Williams also linked the issue to recent reforms in Ghana’s gold sector, claiming some foreign interests have not welcomed the activities of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod). While he did not provide specific details, he suggested that attempts to bring greater control and accountability to the gold trade have affected certain groups.
Rather than focusing solely on arrests and enforcement, the Archbishop called for broader support for those leading the anti-galamsey campaign. He noted that security personnel and state officials confronting illegal mining often operate under challenging and sometimes dangerous conditions.
According to him, the battle against galamsey requires both effective law enforcement and national backing for those tasked with protecting the country’s resources.
His comments come as concerns persist over the environmental toll of illegal mining, with polluted rivers, degraded forests and damaged farmlands continuing to fuel public debate over the future of Ghana’s natural resources.
For Duncan-Williams, the issue extends beyond environmental destruction. He believes Ghanaians must also pay attention to the powerful financial interests that continue to benefit from the illegal extraction of the country’s gold.
Source: myjoyonline.com
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