“I was poisoned because of my fight against galamsey,”- Dr Bisiw-Kotei reveals

Dr. Hanna Louisa Bisiw-Kotei, the Administrator of the Minerals Development Fund (MDF), has made a startling revelation, claiming she was poisoned as a direct consequence of her relentless efforts to combat illegal small-scale mining, commonly known as galamsey.

Speaking publicly about the incident, Dr. Bisiw-Kotei detailed the harrowing experience, linking it directly to her official capacity and her stance against the illicit activity that has plagued the nation’s water bodies and forest reserves.

“I was poisoned because of my galamsey fight,” she stated, without providing specific details about when the incident occurred or the nature of the medical treatment she required. The claim adds a dramatic and personal dimension to the ongoing national struggle against the illegal mining trade, which is often backed by powerful and shadowy networks.

Dr. Bisiw-Kotei’s allegations come at a time of heightened national discourse on galamsey. This week alone, GhanaWeb has reported a series of aggressive actions taken by state authorities against the practice. These include the interception of 560 suspected galamsey engines by the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) at the Tema Port, and a revelation from the Forestry Commission that nearly 9,000 hectares of the country’s forest reserves have been destroyed.

Furthermore, the Ministry responsible has stated that a probe into alleged galamsey levies in the Amansie Central district is “far advanced,” while the National Investigations and Monitoring Operations Squad (NAIMOS) has provided an update on a soldier who was shot during a recent anti-galamsey operation. In a separate crackdown, security forces also arrested 17 Burkinabe and 21 Ghanaians suspected to be engaged in the illegal activity.

Dr. Bisiw-Kotei’s position at the MDF places her at the heart of efforts to manage and regulate mineral resources for community benefit, making her a key figure in the fight to sanitize the sector. Her revelation of an assassination attempt through poisoning is likely to send shockwaves through the political and mining communities and raise serious questions about the safety of public officials who take a hard line against entrenched illegal interests.

The Minerals Development Fund Administrator has not yet indicated whether she has reported the alleged poisoning to the police for formal investigation.