Executive Director of the Centre for Extractive Development Africa ( CEDA), Samuel Bekoe, has cautioned that completely stopping illegal small-scale mining, popularly known as galamsey, may be unrealistic, urging authorities to focus on regulating the activity and preventing its harmful effects.

According to Mr. Bekoe, the number of people whose livelihoods depend on galamsey makes an outright ban difficult to enforce.

Speaking via a zoom interview on Kessben Maakye show in Accra, he noted that although communities support galamsey activities, the practice can have serious consequences for the environment and human rights if it is not properly regulated.
Mr. Bekoe also criticised the Minerals Commission for what he described as failures in preventing illegal mining, arguing that some miners have obtained licences but continue to engage in activities that cause environmental damage.

The extractive industry expert proposed increased recruitment and possible weaponisation of wildlife personnel to strengthen protection of forests, stressing that existing forest guards may not be adequately equipped to confront illegal miners.
He also criticised delays by the Lands Commission in processing licences, arguing that prolonged delays can discourage prospective miners from pursuing legal permits.
Mr. Bekoe maintained that people can still engage in mining without destroying river bodies if effective regulations and enforcement mechanisms are put in place.

He warned that even declaring a state of emergency would not necessarily bring galamsey to an end.
“No government can stop galamsey, but can regulate them to eradicate the after-effects,” he stated.

He added that protecting community lands from destruction would be difficult without stronger regulatory measures aimed at preventing mining activities from damaging river bodies.
His comments come amid renewed calls for tougher measures to tackle illegal mining and protect Ghana’s forests, farmlands and water resources.

By Maurice Otoo

Energy sector analyst Ben Nsiah has raised serious concerns about Ghana’s power and energy sector, alleging the existence of a coordinated network involving politicians, technocrats, government officials and foreign operators.

In an interview on Kessben Maakye show in Accra, Nsiah recalled Ghana’s major power crisis in 2014, arguing that the country must learn from the experience and protect the national interest in decisions concerning the energy sector.

According to him, many politicians are allegedly self-centred and fail to put the country’s interest at stake.
Nsiah further alleged that there is a “collaborative organized crime” involving some politicians, technocrats, government officials and U.S. operators.

He also accused private power producers of overbilling the state, claiming that some officials allegedly have a portion of their percentage built into the overall cost of power.
The energy sector specialist additionally alleged that some parliamentarians had been offered a $46,000 bribe, and called for greater transparency in agreements signed on behalf of the country.
“We must disclose all agreements signed on our behalf because we have seen that our Parliament cannot protect us,” he stated.

Nsiah also called on citizens to ask questions, suggesting that public scrutiny remains one of the few mechanisms available to protect Ghana’s interests.

He further urged the government to renegotiate energy contracts previously signed between 2014 and 2017, describing such a move as imperative.

Turning his attention to the Attorney General’s reported efforts regarding an energy deal, Nsiah expressed scepticism, alleging that political connections among those involved could undermine attempts to unravel the matter.
He claimed that the parties involved “know themselves” and may cover up for one another, underscoring his call for greater transparency and accountability in Ghana’s energy sector.

The allegations contained in the interview have not been independently verified.

By Maurice Otoo

The Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) has launched a nationwide furniture donation campaign to help address critical shortages in basic, junior high and senior high schools across the country.

Dubbed the Collective Furniture Appeal, the initiative is being implemented under GETFund’s Education Financing and Partnership Initiative (EFPI). It seeks to mobilise support from corporate organisations, development partners, alumni associations, religious bodies, civil society organisations, philanthropists and individuals.

GETFund said the campaign follows numerous requests from schools across Ghana for essential furniture needed to improve teaching and learning conditions.

Items being sought include metal mono and dual desks, student chairs, bunk beds, teachers’ tables and chairs, and other essential furniture to provide safe, conducive learning environments.

According to GETFund, despite sustained government investment in educational infrastructure, furniture shortages remain a challenge in several communities, with some pupils still forced to share desks or learn under uncomfortable conditions.

The Fund said closing the furniture gap requires a collective national effort to complement government interventions.

“The Collective Furniture Appeal is a response to numerous requests from schools across the country seeking support to provide essential classroom furniture,” GETFund said.

Under the initiative, corporate institutions, non-governmental organisations, development partners, traditional authorities, religious organisations, community groups, alumni associations and individuals are encouraged to donate new or gently used furniture to schools in need.

GETFund said the initiative is aligned with President John Dramani Mahama’s vision of transforming Ghana’s education sector through strategic partnerships, innovative financing and shared responsibility.

The campaign also forms part of the broader EFPI programme, which seeks to increase private-sector and philanthropic participation in financing educational development.

GETFund noted that the furniture campaign would complement government investments in school infrastructure, teaching and learning materials and other interventions aimed at improving educational outcomes.

The Fund has therefore appealed to the public to support the campaign, stressing that adequate classroom furniture is essential to creating a dignified and effective environment for both teachers and learners.

“Together, let us support the President’s vision for education by furnishing our classrooms, empowering our teachers, inspiring our learners, and ensuring that no child is left behind,” GETFund said.

Organisations and individuals interested in making bulk donations or partnering with GETFund under the EFPI initiative can contact Ms Adwoa Amankwah Boateng-Appiah on +233 50 865 2073 or adwoa.boateng@getfund.gov.gh for further information.

Source:myjoyonline

Three people have died after a mining pit collapsed on them at Odumase-Santenso in the Asante Akyem Central Municipality of the Ashanti Region.

The victims, identified as two women and a man, were reportedly between the ages of 21 and 25 and were engaged in illegal small-scale mining popularly known as “one-man” mining.

The incident occurred at about 4:00 p.m. on Friday, August 7, 2026.

According to the caretaker Assembly Member for the area and Assembly Member for the Bomeriso Electoral Area, Isaac Kyei Andoh, residents alerted him shortly after the pit collapsed, prompting an immediate rescue effort.

Mr Andoh said he informed the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), following which arrangements were made to secure a backhoe to assist in retrieving the trapped miners.

However, the equipment reportedly developed a mechanical fault and could not be deployed.

A private backhoe was subsequently arranged, but before it arrived at the scene, residents had already managed to dig through the collapsed pit and retrieve the bodies.

The three bodies were recovered between 6:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., according to Mr Andoh.

Traditional rites were performed at the scene by local chiefs before the remains were conveyed to a mortuary.

Mr Andoh explained that the victims were involved in “one-man” mining, an unregulated form of small-scale mining in which individuals dig deep pits using basic or makeshift equipment in search of gold.

“I got a call around 4 p.m. about the pit collapse. We mobilised a vehicle to release the bodies from the pit. The chiefs performed some rites before the three bodies were sent to the mortuary. The deceased include two women and a man, aged between 21 and 25 years. The pit caved in and killed them,” he said.

The tragedy has renewed concerns about the dangers associated with unregulated mining activities in the area, particularly the use of unsafe mining pits and makeshift equipment.

It has also highlighted concerns over the loss of young lives through illegal mining operations in the Asante Akyem Central Municipality, with calls for stronger measures to prevent miners from working in hazardous conditions.

Source:Adomonline

The Accra Regional Police Command has arrested two brothers in connection with the alleged murder of a 54-year-old man and the shooting and injury of his wife at Beach Drive Estate, Tuba, near Weija.

The suspects have been identified as Adams Adder Almeida and his brother, Bala Bilyon. Their arrests were made with assistance from the Cyber Vetting and Enforcement Team (CVET), according to a police statement dated August 9, 2026.

The incident occurred on Thursday, August 6, 2026, after the Weija Police received information that a man and his wife had been shot at Beach Drive Estate.

A police team from the Weija Division was dispatched to the scene, where officers found Rahman Mohamed, 54, and his wife, Christiana Fosu, 53, suffering from gunshot wounds outside their four-bedroom apartment.

The couple was immediately conveyed to Finney Hospital in Weija for medical attention.

However, Rahman Mohamed was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital. His wife, Christiana Fosu, was referred to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, where she remains on admission and is responding to treatment, according to the police.

The body of the deceased has since been deposited at the Police Hospital Mortuary, pending an autopsy.

Suspect allegedly confesses

The police said that during interrogation, Adams Adder Almeida allegedly admitted to shooting Rahman Mohamed and his wife.

According to the suspect’s account, he was motivated by his perception that the deceased had repeatedly described him as “lazy and useless.” He allegedly told investigators that those remarks had affected him mentally.

Following the interrogation, Adams allegedly led investigators to his brother Bala Bilyon’s room at Beach Drive Estate, Tuba, where investigators retrieved a pistol believed to have been used in the shooting.

Police said the firearm was allegedly concealed beneath the wardrobe in Bala Bilyon’s room.

Further investigations established that Adams Adder Almeida and Bala Bilyon reside together in the same room at Tuba.

Police search for alleged firearm source

Adams also allegedly told investigators that the pistol had been given to him by a friend identified as Gideon.

Based on information provided by the suspect, investigators proceeded to Gideon’s residence at Tuba in an attempt to locate him.

However, Gideon was not at home when the police arrived.

The police said efforts are ongoing to locate him to assist with the investigations.

Meanwhile, Bala Bilyon has been arrested and is being interrogated as police continue to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and the possible involvement of other persons.

The Accra Regional Police Command says investigations are ongoing.