The Best Way To Fight Galamsey In Ghana, As Per An Expert Small-Scale Miner

On April 3, 2025, Kwaku Gyarteng, a small-scale miner, told Bismark Brown on Happy FM, a radio station in Accra, that it would be extremely challenging for any government to stop illegal mining in Ghana, often known as Galamsey.

He claims that, practically every administration, including President Mahama himself, finds it difficult to address this issue that the nation faces.

Kwaku Gyarteng supported his claim by telling the host that numerous task forces and anti-galamsey groups, including the military, had attempted in vain to curb this problem.

He said, none of the succeeding administrations, including the late Atta-Mills and President Mahama (who was the vice president at the time), were unable to execute it.

Kwaku Gyarteng spoke about how personnel who were dispatched to fight illicit mining in various parts of the country covertly joined the trend to make money.

“Even some of the military personnel participate in the “deal” rather than aiding in its abolition, he said.

Kwaku claimed that some police officers and military personnel also have machines at some mining locations that operate for them.

He went on to narrate that, the worst part of it is that, these top illegal miners in Ghana have hired limitless numbers of fully armed men from neighboring countries to shoot and kill anyone who trespasses.

In the conversation, Kwaku Gyarteng further added that, said these men are armed with extremely advanced weaponry and lack empathy for anyone as they do not understand any Ghanaian language. According to him, he sees them as terrorists who have taken over Ghana’s forests.

“The intriguing aspect of the entire Galamsey controversy is that many of these miners have the resounding support of prominent figures, such as pastors, businesspeople, politicians, and others”, he said.

Mr. Gyarteng added that he is extremely wary of these terrorists because they act nefariously without considering the consequences. He spoke about a number of factors that make combating this problem extremely difficult.

However, he brought up one best approach to put an end to all this brouhaha. He claims that he has been in this industry for a very long time and that there is no denying the fact that gold has a spiritual support system that is able to hear words and even walk.

“Gold itself is quite receptive to the land’s chiefs,” he said. My suggestion is, Chiefs who are not engaged in these mining operations should thus speak to the lands and curse everyone who steps foot on them in order to free Ghana from these activities.

Gyarteng said, Chiefs have the power to cast a spell on these lands to keep out unauthorized miners because they own them spiritually.

For example, “no matter what super powers or weapons these galamseyers possess, something will undoubtedly occur to frighten them away if Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu himself sets foot on galamsey territories and speaks on them”, Kwaku added.

No One, Regardless Of Status Or Political Affiliation, Will Be Spared If Found Guilty Of Galamsey— EPA

He said, there were other evidences to support his claims and that it had happened in a few towns. And shockingly, no one has been able to mine on these lands to date, he said, citing several incidents in which one Chief (name withheld) did this spiritual incantations.

He talked about several other tactics to stop illegal mining, which is known as “galamsey” in Ghana. However, he believes that if the spiritual element is not taken seriously, then all other efforts will be in vain.

In Ghana, galamsey is still a major problem, and many parties are coming up with ways to mitigate its socioeconomic and environmental effects.

Some experts, for example, suggest formalizing small-scale mining enterprises so that miners have legal channels and assistance in doing their business properly.

Others stress that in order to increase public awareness of the negative consequences of illicit mining, strict enforcement of mining laws and community involvement are essential.​