Sir Sam Jonah
Mining magnate Sir Sam Jonah has described illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, as an environmental, economic, health and moral problem, warning that the destruction of Ghana’s rivers, forests and farmland reflects a failure of responsibility towards society.
Speaking at the Methodist University Ghana International Conference 2026 in Accra on Thursday, (October 15), Jonah said the country could not meaningfully discuss sustainability while illegal mining continued to damage its natural resources.
“Rivers that fed our grandparents now run the colour of chocolate milk,” he said, highlighting the extent of the environmental damage.
He argued that the consequences of galamsey went beyond environmental degradation, linking the practice to broader questions about how the country manages its natural resources and protects the interests of future generations.
“I have spent my career in mining, so I speak on this subject with some humility. Mining takes from the earth what cannot be replaced. The question every miner must answer is: what do we leave behind? A hole in the ground, a poisoned river, or schools, skills, roads and businesses that outlast the mine?” he asked.
He was speaking on the theme “Excellence, Morality and Service at 25: Advancing Digital Innovation, Equity and Sustainability in a Transforming World.”
Jonah emphasised that sustainability required responsible management of resources and a commitment to ensuring that mining and other economic activities delivered lasting benefits to society.
He also criticised what he described as wasteful management of public funds and human talent, citing abandoned public projects and the failure to provide sufficient opportunities for skilled young people.
