Since President John Dramani Mahama took office in January 2025, combating illegal mining, or “galamsey,” has proven to be a major hurdle. His administration has taken a number of actions to address this widespread problem.
President Mahama has prohibited government appointees from engaging in mining activities. Government officials were forbidden from participating in these negative activities by an order he issued. By taking this action, the government hopes to resolve conflicts of interest and show that it is committed to combating illicit mining.
In order to find and cancel permits linked to illicit activities, the government has now started auditing all mining concessions. This tactic aims to guarantee that mining operations are carried out sensibly and in accordance with the law.
Security and regulatory agencies have been instructed to intensify operations against illegal mining. This includes deploying joint task forces to affected areas to apprehend offenders and dismantle unauthorized mining setups.
Despite these initiatives, the fight against galamsey remains arduous. Some of these factors includes:
Entrenched Interests: Illegal mining has become a source of livelihood for many, creating resistance to enforcement efforts.
Environmental and Economic Impact: Galamsey has led to severe environmental degradation, including polluted rivers and deforestation, and has resulted in significant tax revenue losses for the state.
Political Pressure: Critics, including opposition figures in the New Patriotic Party (NPP), have called on the government to fulfill campaign promises to end illegal mining, emphasizing the need for decisive action.
Surprisingly, there is strong evidence that certain politicians, businesspeople, military personnel, chiefs, and police officers are complicit in Ghana’s illegal mining problem, known as galamsey. Despite government attempts, their involvement has made it challenging to successfully suppress galamsey.
Some chiefs and traditional leaders lease lands to illegal miners in exchange for money, despite the environmental destruction caused.
Unfortunately, these people who are supposed to be custodians of lands in mining areas sometimes shield illegal miners from law enforcement.
Also, some politicians benefit financially from galamsey, hence protect illegal miners from arrest by giving them tip-offs when an alarm blow.
Another interesting development is how some political figures use galamsey operators for funding or promise to protect them in exchange for votes during elections.
Some government officials and security agencies take bribes to allow galamsey operations to continue.
High-profile individuals accused of involvement in illegal mining often escape prosecution due to political connections.
Alban Bagbin Issues A Strong Warning To Members Of Parliament Engaging In Illegal Mining
Evidence of Chief and Political Involvement
In 2022, a report by Ghana’s Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining revealed that some politicians and security officers were actively supporting illegal miners.
The 2023 Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) investigation into illegal mining exposed high-ranking officials involved in illegal mining-related corruption.
Several chiefs and district executives have been accused of taking bribes from illegal miners to allow them to operate freely.
In all of these, the effects of galamsey are ravaging.
Rivers such as the Pra, Ankobra, and Offin have been polluted beyond safe levels.
The government loses billions in potential tax revenue due to illegal gold smuggling.
The destruction of cocoa farms has affected Ghana’s cocoa production and export earnings.
What Can Be Done?
Chiefs and politicians found to be involved in galamsey should be prosecuted.
Traditional leaders should be held accountable for land leases.
A non-political security force should be set up to tackle illegal mining without interference.
The fight against galamsey in Ghana will only be successful if chiefs and politicians stop enabling it and stronger laws are enforced without political interference.
While President Mahama’s administration has taken notable steps to combat illegal mining, the complexity and scale of the issue make it a formidable challenge, requiring sustained and multifaceted efforts to achieve lasting solutions.
Tackling illegal mining in Ghana is a complex issue that requires a multifaceted approach, including stringent law enforcement, community engagement, and sustainable economic alternatives for those involved in galamsey.
For President Mahama, addressing this challenge is indeed a “hard nut to crack,” until he finds a strong strategy to achieve lasting solutions.
