Illegal Mining in Ghana: The Fight Against Galamsey and the Perils of Politicization

Introduction

Illegal mining, often referred to as galamsey in Ghana, has become a major national issue, posing serious threats to the environment, public health, and local livelihoods. Despite several government efforts to clamp down on this practice, its prevalence continues to expand, largely due to the underlying economic conditions and lack of alternative livelihoods in mining communities. The consequences of galamsey are dire: from contaminated rivers to degraded farmlands, the environmental toll is unsustainable. Yet, as the fight against illegal mining intensifies, politicization of the issue has become very rampant risking meaningful progress. This article attempts to provide insights into the menace, past and current efforts towards addressing the issue, the dangers associated with politicizing the fight, why the community has to be at the forefront of the campaign and actionable recommendations to sustainably address illegal mining. 

The Impact of Galamsey: A Crisis of Environmental and Economic Sustainability

The economic attraction of illegal mining is undeniable. In 2021, illegal small-scale mining activities reportedly generated about $2 billion annually for local miners. For many rural communities, galamsey offers a rare opportunity to earn a livelihood in regions where formal employment is scarce. However, the costs of galamsey far outweigh the immediate economic benefits. 

• Environmental Degradation: According to the Ghana Water Company, as of 2022, over 60% of Ghana’s water bodies had been severely polluted due to galamsey. Rivers like the Ankobra, Pra, and Offin have turned turbid, laden with chemicals such as mercury and cyanide. This has led to water treatment costs skyrocketing, with the Ghana Water Company spending up to GH₵700 million in 2022 just to purify drinking water.
• Loss of Agricultural Lands: Beyond water pollution, large tracts of arable lands have been destroyed. The Ministry of Food and Agriculture estimates that nearly 12% of farmlands in affected areas have been rendered unusable due to contamination from mining activities. Cocoa farms, in particular, have been severely affected, posing a direct threat to one of Ghana’s key export crops. Siaw et al (2023) estimates that Ghana lost over 19,000 ha of cocoa farmlands to galamsey operations. Consequently, Cocoa production that peaked at 1 million tonnes in 2021 has declined to about 500,000 tonnes. At the current rate, it is projected that by 2027, Ecuador will surpass Ghana in cocoa output, according to the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO) (Ziblim, 2024).
• Health Hazards: Mercury and cyanide, used extensively in illegal mining operations, have seeped into the ecosystem, leading to long-term health impacts on residents. Indeed, a study by Obiri-Yeboah et al (2021) on the impact of illegal mining activities in the Bonsa river, Tarkwa Nsuaem, Ghana found that the physicochemical characteristics in the river revealed mean turbidity values of 155.75 NTU downstream, 135.0 NTU midstream, and 207.0 NTU upstream which exceeds the required international benchmark of the World Health Organization (WHO) for potable water. The heavy metal analysis of lead and mercury also showed values considerably higher than those permissible by the Ghana Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the WHO indicating significant contamination levels. This makes the Bonsa river not safe for consumption at all locations. Other studies including a recent one by the University of Ghana and another by the Health Sciences Investigation Journal, indicate that mercury poisoning in mining areas has led to a surge in kidney-related diseases, as well as neurological disorders among the population.

Government’s Response to Illegal Mining Since 2012

Since 2012, successive governments have rolled out several interventions aimed at curbing the negative effects of illegal mining while also securing sustainable livelihoods for affected populations. Despite these efforts, illegal mining remains rampant, and in many cases, its impact has worsened. 

• • Establishment of Inter-Ministerial Task Forces (2013–2016): In 2013, under former President John Dramani Mahama, the government established an Inter-Ministerial Task Force on Illegal Mining. This task force comprised the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the Ministry of Interior, and the Ghana Police Service, among others. The primary objective was to clamp down on illegal mining activities, particularly in sensitive areas such as river bodies and forest reserves. While the task force made some notable arrests and confiscated mining equipment, inconsistent enforcement of punitive measures coupled with weak coordination between ministries, allowed illegal miners to return to their activities. Additionally, the task force was accused of corruption, with some members reportedly accepting bribes to allow miners to continue their operations. Others also argued that the focus on punitive measures without addressing the socio-economic drivers of galamsey left local communities in dire straits, resulting in a temporary reduction in illegal mining activities that rebounded shortly afterward.
  • Operation Vanguard (2017): This military-led task force was initiated and deployed to galamsey-prone areas to halt illegal mining activities. The operation was part of the government’s broader anti-galamsey campaign, which included the suspension of all small-scale mining activities for six months. Operation Vanguard made an initial impact by dismantling illegal mining operations and seizing equipment. The temporary suspension of all small-scale mining allowed the government to audit and streamline legal mining operations. Some water bodies showed slight improvement during the suspension period. However, these gains were short-lived. Due to the heavy-handed approach, many illegal miners adopted more methods, moving their operations to remote areas or mining at night. Additionally, the approach alienated local communities, many of whom relied on mining for survival. The lack of viable alternative livelihoods meant that miners returned to galamsey as soon as the operation’s intensity waned.

• Community Mining Scheme (2019): This initiative aimed to formalize small-scale mining in a way that was community-driven and environmentally responsible. Under the CMS, local communities were given legal mining concessions, with government oversight to ensure compliance with environmental regulations. Although the CMS was a significant step toward addressing the socio-economic needs of mining communities by providing a legal framework for small-scale mining and offering training and support to ensure miners adhered to sustainable mining practices, its implementation has been inconsistent. Many miners continue to operate outside the legal framework due to bureaucratic hurdles, such as obtaining mining permits and access to financing. Additionally, weak enforcement of environmental regulations in community mining areas has led to continued environmental degradation. 

• National Alternative Employment and Livelihood Program (NAELP) (2021): In 2021, the government launched the National Alternative Employment and Livelihood Program (NAELP) to provide alternative jobs for those involved in illegal mining. The program focused on sectors such as agriculture, agro-processing, and community afforestation, targeting former illegal miners and providing them with training, financial support, and equipment. Despite its potential, NAELP has faced numerous challenges. Reports indicate that the program has not been rolled out at scale, with limited financial resources and insufficient training programs hampering its effectiveness. Furthermore, the program has not yet reached many of the hardest-hit galamsey communities, leaving many former miners without viable alternatives.

• The Ghana Landscape Restoration and Small-Scale Mining Project (2022): Funded by the World Bank, this project seeks to restore degraded landscapes in mining areas while promoting sustainable mining practices. It focuses on reclaiming degraded lands, promoting alternative livelihoods, and building the capacity of small-scale miners to use environmentally friendly technologies. The program has started to make strides in land reclamation and offers hope for long-term environmental restoration. However, the project is still in its early stages, and its long-term success will depend on continued funding, community engagement, and the willingness of miners to adopt sustainable practices. Resistance from miners who are entrenched in illegal operations possibly due to many previous relatively unsuccessful interventions as articulated above remains a significant hurdle.

The Dangers of Politicizing the Fight Against Galamsey

Efforts to curb galamsey have, unfortunately, been entangled in political rhetoric. Successive governments have as has been described in the previous section made high-profile interventions to tackle the issue, however illegal has persisted, often fueled by accusations of political complicity.

• Political Interference and Selective Enforcement: There are widespread perceptions that anti-galamsey campaigns are sometimes used as tools to punish political opponents while protecting supporters. A 2023 survey by the Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) revealed that 47% of respondents believed that political figures were actively involved in protecting illegal miners in their constituencies. The fight against galamsey cannot be a tool for partisan advantage—it requires the full commitment of all stakeholders, regardless of their political affiliations.
• Reckless promises by opposition: The fight against galamsey has often been politicized, with the opposition at any time using it as a campaign issue rather than making long-term commitments. There have been many instances where opposition parties have promised to grant amnesty to jailed illegal miners and also allowed them to work without threats or intimidation from the state has prevented a unified, sustained national effort to combat illegal mining.
• Erosion of Trust in Government Initiatives: The politicization of the fight against galamsey has led to waning trust in government interventions. Many local communities have grown skeptical of these efforts, seeing them as unsustainable and opportunistic. This has led to a situation where government bans and regulations are either ignored or actively resisted by local communities.

Why the People Must Be at the Forefront of the Fight

Since the fight against galamsey began, a glaring gap has been the absence of active voices from the communities most devastated by illegal mining activities. For any solution to be sustainable, it must be driven by these communities. The people living in the areas hardest hit by illegal mining should play a central role in shaping the interventions that directly affect their livelihoods and environment. Without their engagement and support, no anti-galamsey initiative will gain the grassroots momentum needed for long-term success.

• Local Communities as Primary Stakeholders: The people in galamsey-prone areas understand the socio-economic dynamics that drive illegal mining. According to a 2023 report by the Ghana Statistical Service, approximately 35% of households in mining areas are directly or indirectly dependent on galamsey for survival. These people are best positioned to articulate the challenges and propose workable alternatives. Any solution imposed from the top down is likely to be met with resistance or simply ignored.
• Community-Led Monitoring: One effective way to curb galamsey is by involving local communities in monitoring and reporting illegal activities. This could be facilitated by training and resourcing local task forces to collaborate with law enforcement agencies. Community members are more familiar with the local terrain and actors involved in illegal mining and can serve as the first line of defense.
• Livelihood Alternatives: Galamsey thrives because of the lack of viable economic alternatives in affected areas. Efforts like the National Alternative Employment and Livelihood Program must be intensified, ensuring that local populations have access to sustainable income sources. Agricultural incentives, skills training, and access to finance must be made available, especially to the youth in these communities, who are most likely to be involved in illegal mining.

Actionable Recommendations for a Sustainable Anti-Galamsey Campaign

• Decentralize Enforcement and Strengthen Local Accountability: Anti-galamsey enforcement should be decentralized and involve community leaders, local government officials, and youth groups. By empowering local authorities, the fight can be more responsive and less susceptible to political manipulation.
• Invest in Technology for Monitoring: Leveraging technology such as satellite imagery and drones for real-time monitoring of mining activities could greatly improve enforcement. This would provide a transparent mechanism for tracking illegal operations and prevent selective enforcement.
• Expand Livelihood Support Programs: Government and private sector actors must scale up livelihood alternatives in mining areas. This includes promoting agribusiness ventures, fish farming, and local entrepreneurship through the provision of credit facilities and technical training.
• Engage Traditional Authorities: Traditional leaders wield considerable influence in their communities. Involving chiefs and other local leaders in decision-making processes would ensure that solutions are culturally sensitive and more likely to be embraced by the community.
• Promote Environmental Education: Sustained environmental education campaigns are crucial to changing the attitudes of people in mining communities. These campaigns should highlight the long-term consequences of environmental degradation and empower residents with knowledge on sustainable mining practices.

Conclusion

The fight against galamsey is a national imperative that transcends political divisions. Politicizing this struggle, through promises of amnesty or protection for illegal miners, undermines efforts to restore the environment and weakens the rule of law. Opposition rhetoric that encourages illegal miners to continue their activities is not only reckless but also counterproductive, as it prolongs the destruction of Ghana’s natural resources. Political leaders must unite in their commitment to end galamsey and prioritize the sustainable development of mining communities through lawful and long-term economic alternatives.

Written by: Maxwell Agyei Ashon