The Chinese Embassy in Ghana has reiterated its full commitment to supporting the government’s campaign against illegal mining (galamsey) but issued a sharp warning that the endemic problem requires a significantly more determined and serious national approach from both the government and its citizens.
H.E. Tong Defa, the Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, delivered the strong admonition while speaking at a training workshop titled “Green Mining: Best Practices for Responsible Reporting”, organised by the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Peduase on Thursday, December 11, 2025.
The Call for Collective Commitment
Ambassador Defa emphasised that despite China’s willingness to collaborate, the responsibility for tackling the menace, which has severely degraded Ghana’s water bodies and vast agricultural land, ultimately rests with the host nation.
He noted that the challenge is deeply entrenched and will persist without collective and sustained commitment from all stakeholders.
“For us, we support the Ghanaian government to tackle this problem. As I have reiterated many times in this country, Ghanaians must take the galamsey issue seriously. If you do not take it seriously, there is no simple way out. We want to reiterate that the Chinese should do things legally,” he stated.
This firm statement underscores the Ambassador’s view that local complacency or insufficient enforcement hinders the effectiveness of anti-galamsey efforts.
The Chinese government maintains a clear policy requiring its citizens overseas to abide by local laws, and it supports the prosecution of any Chinese national involved in illegal activities.
Media Urged to Provide Balanced Coverage
Beyond the galamsey issue, the Ambassador appealed to the media to ensure their coverage reflects the broader, overwhelmingly positive relationship between Ghana and China.
He cautioned against narratives that generalize the actions of a few individuals involved in illicit activities to paint the entire Chinese community in a negative light.
He reiterated China’s willingness to collaborate in promoting responsible mining practices, highlighting Chinese companies that are actively involved in large-scale, sustainable operations, technological transfer, and significant corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects that benefit local communities .
Galamsey’s Devastating National Impact
The Ambassador’s warning comes at a time when the impact of galamsey on Ghana’s environment and economy is undeniable. Key data points highlight the scale of the destruction:
– Water Bodies: Hundreds of rivers and water sources have been polluted with mercury and cyanide, leading the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) to spend huge sums annually on treating heavily contaminated raw water.
– Economic Cost: The illegal activities have destroyed thousands of acres of cocoa and foodstuff farms, impacting food security and the country’s leading export commodity, cocoa.
The Ambassador’s call for seriousness directly addresses the internal debate in Ghana over the political will required to impose and sustain strict enforcement measures necessary to eliminate the illicit activity.
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