Legal practitioner and Convention People’s Party (CPP) member Kwame Jantuah has called for drastic measures to tackle Ghana’s illegal mining crisis, suggesting that security personnel should “shoot to maim” illegal miners if authorities will not adopt a “shoot to kill” approach.
Mr Jantuah made this suggestion on Friday, September 25, 2026, while reacting to a video report by TV3 NewDay host Joseph Ackah-Blay on the extent of illegal mining activities and their impact on water bodies.
He argued that illegal mining had become serious enough to require tougher measures, as several water bodies continue to suffer severe contamination.
“I’m continuously saying, because Ghanaians, we love our lives—if we are not going to shoot to kill, shoot to maim. That’s the only thing that would put [fear], make it better,” he stated.
According to Mr Jantuah, the possibility of permanently losing a body part could serve as a deterrent to people involved in illegal mining.
He also proposed a temporary ban on small-scale mining as part of efforts to reorganise the sector. He suggested the government could suspend the granting of small-scale mining licences for two to three years while putting measures in place to regulate the industry.
“They [NPP] tried, but they gave up. Why aren’t we banning small-scale mining for 2 to 3 years to put things right? No small-scale mining licenses—we ban it and restructure it properly,” he argued.
Mr Jantuah said a temporary suspension could also give polluted water bodies time to recover.
“At least water bodies might recover,” he added.
His comments come amid concerns over the condition of the River Birim, which provides freshwater for residents in Akyem Apapam and surrounding communities.
