Lawyer and political activist Oliver Barker-Vormawor has firmly opposed the idea of a “shoot to kill” policy in the fight against illegal mining, also known as galamsey.
According to him, any attempt to militarize the crackdown on illegal mining will only escalate the crisis rather than solve it.
Barker-Vormawor firmly opposed the idea of a State of Emergency if it would serve as a justification for security forces to eliminate individuals involved in illegal mining.
He emphasized that if such an approach was the intent, he wanted no part in it, cautioning that disregarding human lives in the fight against galamsey could lead to severe repercussions.
According to him, if communities affected by mining feel targeted, they may resort to arming themselves, escalating tensions, and potentially turning the situation into a conflict resembling those seen in other troubled regions.
“Eventually, Militia groups will form. And let me be clear: I do not, and will never, support extra-judicial killings as a policy tool. Have we learnt nothing from Bawku? How has using humans as target practice there solved anything?”
Barker-Vormawor further argued that those who bear the brunt of violent crackdowns are not the real culprits behind the destruction caused by illegal mining.
“So take it easy now with the bloodlust. The people who will be killed are always the young JHS dropouts—the expendable faces at the bottom. Not the Mireku Dukers. Not the Akonta Minings. They will survive. If we’re serious, the war on galamsey must target the real engine of destruction: its financiers.”
According to him, the real power behind illegal mining operations lies with well-connected individuals who import heavy machinery into the country.
He alleged that these financiers, often protected by political and business elites, continue to operate with impunity while small-scale miners face the full force of law enforcement.
“This crisis exploded when we allowed heavy machinery into our forests. We can—and must—tackle this. Excavate control by geotagging and electronically demobilizing machines. Control the importation. Track who’s bringing them in and whose hands they end up in.”
Accordingly, he raised concerns over the lack of strict regulations governing the importation of heavy machinery used in illegal mining, particularly given that these machines enter the country through official entry points such as ports.
He questioned why authorities have not implemented stringent controls to monitor and restrict their influx, drawing a comparison to how tightly controlled substances like Class A drugs are regulated.
If these machines are not being smuggled through unmonitored routes but are instead passing through well-established legal channels, he argued, then the failure to impose stricter oversight points to a serious gap in enforcement and regulatory policies.
Targeting the Right People:
Furthermore, Oliver Barker-Vormawor emphasized that tackling illegal mining requires more than just arresting small-scale miners; it demands dismantling the financial and power structures that enable the practice.
He argued that while law enforcement should intensify arrests, authorities should also consider offering plea deals to young miners, encouraging them to expose those at the top of the chain.
The real culprits, he pointed out, are not the laborers enduring harsh conditions in the pits but the powerful individuals operating behind the scenes, living comfortably in upscale neighborhoods like Cantonments while profiting from the destruction of the environment.
He highlighted the broader security risks posed by illegal mining, noting that mining areas are increasingly being used for illicit financial activities.
“We are running out of time. Mining areas are the number one avenue for terrorist financing globally. Leaving our mines exposed is like handing militant groups a honeycomb—sweet, undefended, and dangerously inviting.”
The activist warned that Ghana is approaching a tipping point, and failure to act strategically will make the galamsey problem uncontrollable.
“We can’t keep cuddling a crisis that’s growing into something we may no longer be able to contain.
“Is someone in Government taking notes, or are we being ignored on this issue like Mampam used to – prepared as he was to put his ‘presidency on the line’!”
Ending his statement on a call to action, Barker-Vormawor hinted at an upcoming protest against the government’s handling of illegal mining. “Prepare for a May Day protest! 5k men jack up. Lock and Load.”
His remarks reinforce the urgent need for a more strategic approach to tackling illegal mining—one that prioritizes cutting off the financial lifelines of illegal operations rather than resorting to violence against those at the bottom of the chain.
Barker-Vormawor’s stance challenges the government to rethink its approach to tackling illegal mining, urging a focus on financiers rather than frontline miners.
Meanwhile, the government has taken some steps in the fight against galamsey, including recovering forest reserves, revoking certain mining licenses, and deploying military surveillance.
However, its decision to amend L.I. 2462 instead of repealing it entirely, as promised and as citizens demand, raises concerns about its commitment to lasting reform.