Comments made by the late politician and founder of the United Renaissance Party, Charles Eric Kofi Wayo, about illegal small-scale mining, popularly known as galamsey, have resurfaced following reports of his death.
Kofi Wayo, who was widely recognised for his outspoken views on national issues, had years earlier criticised Ghana’s approach to tackling illegal mining, questioning the effectiveness of the institutions and task forces assigned to address the problem.
In comments reported on June 22, 2013, he expressed concerns about the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI), arguing that the institution was not adequately equipped to deal with the challenges associated with galamsey.
He reportedly questioned whether the BNI had the necessary training and resources to investigate illegal mining activities and address the involvement of foreign nationals in the sector.
According to his position at the time, the responsibility for dealing with such matters should have rested with the BNI rather than the Inter-Ministerial Task Force established to tackle illegal mining.
His comments reflected broader concerns about the government’s strategy at the time, particularly the coordination and capacity of security agencies involved in efforts to control illegal mining.
Although he acknowledged the work being undertaken by the task force, Kofi Wayo also raised concerns about alleged misconduct among some of its personnel.
He suggested that certain officers might have abused their positions by demanding or collecting money from miners. His remarks highlighted the importance of accountability and proper supervision in operations designed to enforce mining regulations.
The politician’s criticism was not limited to the institutions responsible for fighting galamsey. He also praised the then Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Alhaji Inusah Fuseini, whom he reportedly described as his “Minister of the Month”.
Kofi Wayo claimed that his investigations had indicated that the minister rejected a US$4 million bribe allegedly offered by a group of small-scale miners.
The allegation was part of his public comments at the time and should be understood as a claim attributed to him rather than an independently established finding.
His remarks have attracted renewed attention because illegal mining remains one of Ghana’s major environmental and governance challenges. The activity has continued to generate public debate over the destruction of forests, pollution of water bodies, degradation of agricultural land and the difficulties associated with enforcing mining regulations.
Successive governments have introduced different measures, including security operations and task forces, to deal with illegal mining. However, the persistence of galamsey has raised questions about the effectiveness of enforcement, political commitment and accountability among individuals and institutions expected to protect the country’s natural resources.
Kofi Wayo’s earlier position also brings attention to a recurring argument in Ghana’s fight against illegal mining: that enforcement efforts must be supported by properly trained personnel, adequate resources and strong institutional oversight.
His comments further underline the need for investigations into allegations of corruption and abuse of authority whenever security agencies are deployed to combat illegal activities.
Beyond his remarks on galamsey, Kofi Wayo was known for his unconventional political views and criticism of both the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC). He contested parliamentary and presidential positions during his political career and later established the United Renaissance Party.
He also served on the board of the Energy Commission after being appointed in 2009 under the late President John Evans Atta Mills.
His death on November 7, 2026, was reported at Nyaho Clinic in Accra. He was 71 years old. The cause of death had not been publicly disclosed in the initial reports, while funeral arrangements were expected to be announced later.
As tributes and recollections of his political career emerge, his old comments on galamsey provide another example of the issues he spoke about during his years in public life.
The resurfacing of those remarks has also renewed attention on Ghana’s prolonged struggle against illegal mining and the continuing demand for effective institutions capable of protecting the country’s environment and natural resources.
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Source: Thepressradio.com
