Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines and Convener of the Media Coalition Against Galamsey, Ken Ashigbey, has issued a sharp rebuke to politically exposed individuals allegedly engaged in illegal mining, holding them morally responsible for the deaths of eight Ghanaians in the recent military helicopter crash.
Speaking to the media on Friday, August 8, Ing. Ashigbey urged Ghanaians to transform their grief into action and demand genuine accountability in the fight against galamsey, stressing that tears alone would not honour the lives lost.
“I am appealing to the emotions of all of us Ghanaians that we should not just weep for this case and let it pass. We should channel that into positive action. This should be a point of reflection,” he said.
He further called on the government to go beyond deporting illegal miners—especially foreign nationals—and ensure that offenders are fully prosecuted under Ghanaian law.
“We should not just deport galamseyers but make sure they pay fully for the fines stipulated and serve the full sentences that apply. We need to send a strong signal that Ghana is closing this criminal business.
“All of those politically exposed people who are involved in galamsey, the blood of these eight is on your head. You’d better have a change of heart, repent, and step out of it. Enough is enough,” he declared.
The fatal crash occurred on Wednesday, August 6, in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region, claiming the lives of Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah and Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed—both known for their uncompromising stance against illegal mining.
Also among the deceased were Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; Samuel Aboagye, a former parliamentary candidate; and Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the NDC. The military crew—Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah—also perished.
Preliminary reports indicate that the officials were travelling aboard a Ghana Armed Forces Z-9 helicopter to Obuasi, a hotspot for illegal mining activities, when the aircraft went off radar.
A state funeral will be held on Friday, August 15. Due to the condition of the remains, samples have been sent to South Africa for DNA testing to aid in identification.
