You Can’t Break The Law First—Angel Carbonu Blasts Plans To Regularise Illegal Mining

Former National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) president Angel Carbonu has criticised proposals to legalise illegal mining activities after operations have already started, arguing that miners must secure the necessary licences before beginning their work.

According to a report by Citi FM on Saturday, October 24, 2026, Carbonu made his position known during a discussion on The Big Issue on Channel One TV, where he expressed concerns about approaches to tackling illegal mining, commonly known in Ghana as galamsey.

Carbonu maintained that allowing individuals to begin mining without authorisation and seek legal approval afterwards could weaken respect for the country’s laws. He insisted that anyone interested in mining must first fulfil the legal requirements before commencing operations.

“You don’t first do the wrong thing and go and regularise,” he stated.

His comments have added to the ongoing national debate over how Ghana should address illegal mining while creating opportunities for legitimate artisanal and small-scale mining activities.

Formalisation has been discussed as one possible approach to bringing small-scale miners into the regulated sector. Supporters argue that properly organised mining operations could improve supervision, encourage responsible practices and make it easier for authorities to monitor compliance with established regulations.

However, Carbonu believes that formalisation should not become a means of avoiding the consequences of operating without the required permits. His position emphasises the need for prospective miners to obtain licences and meet applicable requirements before entering the industry.

Illegal mining remains a significant concern in Ghana because of its reported effects on water bodies, forest reserves and agricultural land. Environmental damage associated with galamsey has intensified calls for stronger enforcement and more effective oversight of mining activities.

Authorities face the challenge of addressing unlawful operations while establishing a system that allows eligible small-scale miners to work within the law. This includes ensuring that licensing procedures are followed, environmental standards are respected and violations are dealt with appropriately.

Carbonu’s remarks highlight the importance of distinguishing between bringing mining activities under proper regulation and granting approval to operations that began illegally. His argument is that any formalisation policy should uphold existing legal requirements rather than encourage people to disregard them.

The discussion also raises broader questions about accountability, environmental protection and the management of Ghana’s gold resources, including issues surrounding GoldBod.

As debate over galamsey continues, attention remains on how the government and relevant institutions will balance efforts to regulate small-scale mining with the enforcement of licensing laws and measures to protect the environment.

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