Civil society Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey, has submitted a formal petition to the Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), urging the regulator to take immediate steps to restrict the supply of fuel to illegal mining operations, commonly known as galamsey.
According to the coalition, the easy access to fuel—particularly diesel—has been a key enabler of illegal mining activities across the country, contributing to widespread environmental degradation, including the destruction of water bodies and forest reserves.
The petition calls on the NPA to implement stricter monitoring and control mechanisms within the fuel distribution chain to prevent diversion to illegal mining sites. It also urges closer collaboration with security agencies and other stakeholders to track and regulate bulk fuel purchases suspected to be linked to galamsey operations.
The group argues that cutting off fuel supply could significantly disrupt illegal mining activities, which rely heavily on excavators and generators powered by petroleum products.
Beyond the immediate request, the coalition is also advocating for a broader national investigation into the scale of the problem. It is calling on relevant state institutions to uncover individuals and networks allegedly benefiting from illegal mining, including those facilitating logistics, financing, and political protection.
Illegal mining has remained a major concern in Ghana, with successive governments and stakeholders struggling to contain its impact despite multiple interventions.
