Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, Tong Defa, has blamed Ghanaians for the persistent illegal mining crisis, known as galamsey.
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According to him, the country cannot completely eliminate the activity and must instead focus on reducing its environmental damage.
During a press briefing at his Accra residence on June 19, Ambassador Defa dismissed claims that Chinese nationals are the primary drivers of galamsey. He stated that local actors enable and profit from these operations.
“To my understanding, these small mines can never be fully eliminated,” he said. “What we need are policies to manage pollution and protect forests and water bodies.”
His comments follow growing public outrage over the environmental destruction caused by galamsey. Civil society groups have called on the government to crack down on financiers and political figures behind the practice.
Defa questioned why illegal mining is often linked to Chinese citizens. He explained that Chinese nationals cannot legally obtain mining licenses in Ghana. “It is Ghanaians who bring them in,” he stressed.
He also argued that most of the Chinese workers arrested in mining operations are migrant laborers. “I use social media, and when I post, people tag me with galamsey accusations as if China is responsible. That’s unfair,” he said.
Moreover, Defa highlighted China’s contributions to Ghana’s infrastructure, noting that Chinese companies built many roads, ports, and other major projects. “Do ordinary Ghanaians know this?” he asked.
His remarks are expected to deepen the national debate on illegal mining and the role of foreign nationals in Ghana’s mining sector.
