Ghana’s Ambassador to China, Kojo Bonsu, says the Chinese government is deeply concerned about the involvement of some of its nationals in illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, in Ghana.
Speaking to Channel One News’ Akwasi Agyei Annim in Tianjin, China, Ambassador Bonsu said Beijing, under President Xi Jinping, has taken the issue seriously and is working with Accra to tackle it.
He explained that many of those involved enter Ghana through unofficial channels and bypass the Minerals Commission and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, obtaining licences through “dubious means.”
“I know everyone in Ghana now is talking about galamsey, but the Chinese government is very angry about all those galamsey issues,” he said. “These are people who come to Ghana through the back door and don’t go through the Minerals Commission and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to acquire proper licences, but through dubious means.”
Ambassador Bonsu noted that discussions between President John Dramani Mahama and President Xi Jinping on the matter have led to a commitment from the Chinese side. He said Chinese authorities have directed officials in Guangxi province to engage Ghana on solutions.
“Now the Chinese government is frowning on that. They have even ordered a county or province called Guangxi to come and solve that problem because President John Dramani Mahama had a meeting with President Xi Jinping on that matter, and the Chinese have taken it seriously,” he added.
The Ghana Embassy in China is collaborating with Chinese authorities to promote responsible mining companies while helping to curb illegal activity involving Chinese nationals. The goal, Ambassador Bonsu stressed, is to attract genuine investors who comply with Ghana’s mining and environmental regulations.
He cited companies such as Zijin Mining and Cardinal Namdini as examples of the type of responsible operators Ghana seeks. “I can assure you that all those Chinese companies coming to Ghana through us are responsible. They are going to do what we call responsible mining that will not affect the environment,” he said.
Ambassador Bonsu emphasised that Ghana is not merely seeking mining investment but capital, technology, skills development and technology transfer from reputable firms. “Our number one goal is to bring genuine investors who will bring good money, be socially responsible to the people and bring technology for us to have a new system to learn,” he said.
He made clear that the embassy will not support investors seeking to enter the country through questionable means or engage in illegal mining. “We don’t want to just bring any kind of mining investors, but genuine investment with good technology and ensure technology transfer locally. We don’t want to bring any mushroom investor that will bring technologies through the back door just to galamsey,” he re-emphasised.
Ambassador Bonsu expressed confidence in the Chinese government’s commitment and pledged to continue working until Chinese involvement in illegal mining in Ghana becomes a thing of the past.
