A new media coalition, Patriotic Journalists Against Galamsey (PAJAG), has been unveiled in Accra with a bold commitment to deploy investigative journalism as a frontline weapon in Ghana’s fight against illegal mining.
Speaking at the press conference, Executive Director Nana Otu Darko said the group unites journalists, broadcasters, bloggers, and digital creators under a single mission: to expose galamsey operations, hold state institutions accountable, and defend Ghana’s environmental future. He stressed that PAJAG is strictly non-partisan and driven by a patriotic duty to safeguard the nation’s water bodies and communities.
“Our mission is simple—no polluted rivers, no poisoned communities,” he declared. “We choose patriotism and environmental protection as our permanent newsroom assignment.”
PAJAG also highlighted recent government efforts against illegal mining, including the creation of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (RCOMSDEP), and the Blue Water Guard initiative. The coalition further acknowledged Hon. Amarh Kofi Boah’s role in the repeal of L.I. 2462, which previously permitted mining in forest reserves.
The group welcomed the allocation of GHS 150 million to NAIMOS in the 2026 Budget, describing it as one of the clearest indications yet that the government now views galamsey as a national emergency.
According to Mr. Darko, PAJAG will collaborate closely with state agencies to strengthen transparency in the fight against illegal mining. “Our pens, microphones, cameras, and platforms will be the extra eyes and ears for NAIMOS and the Ministry. If something is hidden, we will uncover it. If someone shows courage, we will amplify it.”
PAJAG announced that its full public launch, complete with leadership structure, advisory board, and a 12-month investigative action plan, will be rolled out in the coming days.
Journalists present were urged to treat the galamsey crisis not as a political battleground, but as an existential threat requiring urgent and sustained media scrutiny.
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