General Overseer of Action Chapel International, Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams, has raised alarm over what he describes as the extensive foreign interests behind illegal gold mining in Ghana, claiming some foreign operators are using Ghanaians as fronts to reap huge financial gains from the country’s mineral wealth.
The Archbishop says many Ghanaians have little idea of the enormous sums allegedly being made by foreign nationals from illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, while local people provide the labour and cover for their operations.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Monday, August 17, 2026, Duncan-Williams said information he had encountered during his travels outside Ghana had exposed him to the scale of the financial interests involved in the illegal exploitation of the country’s gold resources.
“We have so many foreigners behind illegal gold mining, and they use some of our own people to front it, and I don’t believe our people understand and know the kinds of money that are made from their sweat and labour,” he said.
His comments put a fresh spotlight on the role of foreign actors in Ghana’s galamsey crisis and the alleged use of local collaborators to facilitate illegal mining operations.
Duncan-Williams further claimed that some foreign nationals involved in the illegal gold trade were uncomfortable with the establishment and operations of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod).
“Something must be done, and I know also that a lot of them are not happy about the GoldBod,” he said.
The Archbishop did not identify the foreign nationals or provide specific figures on the amount of money allegedly being generated from the illegal operations.
He nevertheless urged authorities and the public not to underestimate the powerful financial interests surrounding illegal mining and the risks confronting those attempting to dismantle such operations.
Backs Enforcement, Calls for Prayers
Duncan-Williams also called on Ghanaians to pray for political leaders, security personnel and other officials spearheading the fight against galamsey, arguing that the nature of the operations makes enforcement particularly risky.
He stressed that his call for spiritual support should not be interpreted as an alternative to enforcing Ghana’s mining laws.
“I am not saying that we shouldn’t apply the law. I am saying that we should pray for those who are enforcing the law to be empowered to do their job because it is a very risky job,” he explained.
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Illegal mining remains a major national concern due to its impact on water bodies, farmlands, forests and other natural resources.
Duncan-Williams urged Ghanaians to look beyond the visible operators at mining sites and pay greater attention to the wider financial interests he believes are driving the illegal gold trade.
He maintained that confronting both local collaborators and foreign interests behind galamsey would be crucial to protecting Ghana’s mineral resources and strengthening the fight against illegal mining.
