Ghana’s High Commissioner-designate to South Africa, Mr Benjamin Quarshie, has outlined strong measures he believes could help the government curb the menace of illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

Speaking in an interview with Accra-based Kessben FM on Thursday, August 14, 2025, Mr. Quarshie argued that it was time for authorities to make illegal miners experience the consequences of their actions firsthand.

“The galamseyers must be made to drink water from the contaminated rivers if arrested, so they come to terms with the destruction they have caused,” he suggested.

He drew parallels with South Africa, where illegal miners—locally referred to as Zama Zama—have seen their activities restricted after a deadly landslide.

According to him, the South African government’s firm stance and indifference to the plight of the illegal miners following that incident discouraged their further environmental destruction.

Mr. Quarshie urged Ghana’s government to target the kingpins and financiers of illegal mining operations rather than focusing solely on small-scale operators, whom he described as “the small flies.”

He further called for a national dialogue on galamsey, bringing together stakeholders to develop a lasting and sustainable solution to the environmental and socio-economic challenges caused by the practice