“Gov’t, academia adopt new strategy in illegal mining fight.”
Adnan Adams Mohammed
As efforts are intensified to end illegal mining in Ghana especially in forest reserves, cocoa-growing areas and along water bodies, government is taking steps to ban all forms of mining in forest reserves.
In supporting these political efforts through use of legal regimes and security task-forces, the academia have committed to a new approach.
The Minister for Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, last week assured Ghanaians that steps to repeal Legislative Instrument (LI) 2462, which permits mining in forest reserves, are well underway. He noted that discussions with parliamentary leadership and key stakeholders have taken place, paving the way for the repeal process to be finalized soon.
“We have actually started the process. I engaged the Ranking Member on Subsidiary Legislation, Patrick Boamah, and other leadership members. We have agreed to lay it very soon”, Dr. Murtala Mohammed said indicating that “the controversial regulation is set to be repealed within the 120-day timeline promised by President John Mahama.”
He further explained that, due to ongoing budget discussions, the government opted to bypass a pre-laying process to fast-track the repeal to halt mining in forest reserves.
The academia’s approach
Meanwhile, the University Ghana, in its efforts to engage in multidisciplinary research that addresses societal challenges, has launched a two-year project to tackle the pressing issue of illegal mining in Ghana.
Led by a team of five researchers from the University, the Anti-Galamsey Project seeks to address the menace of illegal mining through research, advocacy and the application of linguistic and cultural strategies.
Operating under the theme, “Sharing Galamsey Research Findings and Doing Advocacy to Stop Galamsey in Ghana,” the project is envisioned to influence public attitudes, change behaviours and promote sustainable alternatives for affected communities.
The adoption of a holistic approach is also intended to provide actionable insights and practical strategies to combat illegal mining, which poses severe threats to communities, ecosystems and livelihoods across the country. This project underscores the University’s commitment to using academic expertise to drive national development and promote environmental sustainability.
The project is led by Prof. Gladys Nyarko Ansah from the Department of English, with team members including Prof. Richmond Nii Okai Aryeetey (FGA) of the School of Public Health, Prof. Abena Animwaa Yeboah-Banin, Head of the Department of Communication Studies, Dr. Margaret Ismaila of the Department of Linguistics and Mr. Bright Frimpong of the Department of Geography and Resource Development. The initiative is funded by the Research and Innovation Directorate.
Prof. Nyarko Ansah, sharing the project’s objectives during the launch laid emphasis on the importance of leveraging language to engage communities effectively. “We aim to raise awareness by sharing research findings, using appropriate cultural and linguistic frameworks. The project also seeks to empower communities to find sustainable livelihood alternatives while ensuring a bottom-up approach to advocacy,” she explained.
She highlighted how language shapes the discourse surrounding ‘galamsey’ noting that, much of the rhetoric has been framed as a “war discourse,” with phrases like, “we are at war,” “we need to fight,” and “we are in crisis; we need to take action.”
While acknowledging the urgency of the situation, she pointed out that such language can create resistance by establishing two opposing sides, supporting a top-down approach that often alienates communities and creates unnecessary enmity.
Prof. Nyarko Ansah advocated for a shift in strategy, suggesting the adoption of lessons from the fight against COVID-19, which relied heavily on collaboration and consensus building. She emphasised the importance of community mobilisation and a bottom-up approach to addressing galamsey, ensuring that communities have a voice in the process.
She also outlined key components of the project, including media campaigns that will produce compelling content for public dissemination and town hall meetings to make room for dialogue and active youth involvement. These efforts aim to influence attitudes, encourage sustainable practices and strengthen community participation. She expressed gratitude to the Research and Innovation Directorate(RID), the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) and other project partners for their invaluable contributions to the initiative so far.
Chairing the launch, Prof. Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, FGA, former Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, described ‘galamsey’ as a complex issue with widespread implications.
“Illegal mining impacts water bodies, forest reserves and involves directing mining waste into rivers. It is also exacerbated by the involvement of foreigners in small-scale mining,” he said.
Prof Frimpong-Booateng, who was the former Chairperson for the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining lamented the complacency of political leaders in addressing the crisis, stating, “Don’t trust politicians when it comes to this business. When they are under pressure from the grassroots, they will change their policies without informing those leading the campaign against illegal mining.”
He, however, expressed confidence in the project’s approach and pledged his full support, offering resources such as videos and pictures to aid its implementation.
Prof. Richmond Aryeetey, FGA, a member of the project team, presented an overview of actions taken so far to combat galamsey. He acknowledged various interventions, including government programmes, arrests, alternative livelihood initiatives and community mining schemes. He highlighted the need for more innovative and community-centered approaches to address the issue effectively.
“There is a lot that has been done, particularly in advocacy, to raise awareness about the scale of galamsey and its impact on livelihoods and health. Academia has also contributed through research and training,” he said. He noted, however, that many efforts from political, traditional and faith-based leaders have not translated into concrete action, reducing them to verbal commitments.
The project will incorporate media campaigns with compelling content, town hall meetings and youth involvement to promote sustainable solutions.
History of Artisanal Small-scale Mining
Artisanal small-scale mining dates back to the 15th century in Ghana. It is an important means of livelihood for many rural people, who use the income from mining to supplement meagre farming income. Ghanaian small-scale mining may be second only to agriculture in its ability to create jobs and boost the economy.
About one million people work directly in the sector, and approximately four million work in services dependent on small-scale mining.
With so many Ghanaians practicing small-scale mining, the government felt the need to regulate mining practices to streamline the sector’s contribution to the economy, regulate the use of resources by small-scale miners, and provide official marketing channels for gold that the sector produced.
In 1989, the government passed the Small-Scale Gold Mining Act, which introduced a licensing process. However, the process is highly bureaucratic, expensive, time-consuming, and riddled with corruption. Only those with money and political connections can secure licenses. Thus the process discourages many Ghanaians without money and influence from applying for and obtaining legal licenses. Since villages depended greatly on the mining sector, unlicensed small-scale mining continued.
Genesis of surge in illegal mining
The scale of illegal mining expanded greatly in the 2000s, when Ghana’s gold reserves and the surge in gold prices attracted many foreign miners from neighboring Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire and countries such as Russia, Armenia, and China. Ghana saw an especially large influx of experienced Chinese miners.
Unregulated and illegal mining by Chinese migrants has severely challenged the Ghanaian government, local communities and rural populations. It has compromised the local economy and security, particularly the well-being and security of women. In response, the government passed the 2006 Minerals and Mining Act, which “reserved” small-scale mining for Ghanaian citizens, and instituted the Alternative Livelihood and Community Mining Program, which sought to diversify sources of livelihood in mining areas. But because of widespread government corruption among national and local officials, their implementation was unsuccessful. Therefore, Chinese miners’ galamsey continues.
Efforts to curb illegal mining
Prior to 2013, the Ghanaian government paid little attention to the proliferation of Chinese migrants in the small-scale mining sector. Although the government did pass the Minerals and Mining Act in 2006, the law was undermined by corrupt officials taking bribes from Chinese miners to allow them to continue mining.
When news media began reporting on galamsey issues in 2013, the government felt pressure to respond. President John Mahama established a task force made up of military personnel and other state security forces. The task force was instrumental in deporting over 4,500 Chinese miners and the seizure of mining equipment, but it also attempted to curtail illegal mining by Ghanaians. During presidential and parliamentary electoral campaigns in 2016, however,
the Mahama government held back on enforcement against Ghanaians due to pressures from some communities that threatened to vote against it for attempting to stop them from working in galamsey mines.
After Mahama’s electoral defeat, the new government under President Nana Akufo-Addo nonetheless sought to reinforce the ban on illegal mining. In 2017, an Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining was set up to deal with the problem. The new government also launched Operation Vanguard, which deployed 400 military and police officials
in centers of illegal mining. Also, an Alternative Livelihood and Community Mining Program is also in place to train those previously involved in small-scale mining for work in other sectors. All have failed to curb illegal mining.
Obstacles to curbing illegal mining
Meanwhile, according to a policy brief ‘Galamsey in Ghana: Mitigating its Negative Effects’ published by Felicia Dede Addy and Shikshya Adhikari, they indicated that; among the many obstacles to curbing illegal mining are the corruption of government officials and heavy-handed crackdowns by the security forces. Other reasons include a weak judicial infrastructure and complicit local populations that directly benefit from illegal mining.
The policy brief proposed a peaceful means for curbing Chinese galamsey in Ghana through greater reliance on CSOs, emphasizing that, “forceful curbing of galamsey will only lead to more violence and abrupt loss of livelihoods. Grievances will increase, aggravating the challenges communities already face.
“The government’s ban on illegal mining and violent crackdowns are compounding the problem while failing to tackle it systematically. The problem of Chinese illegal mining in Ghana is both serious and complicated. It secures livelihoods for some and destroys it for others. It
creates dependencies, incites violence, reduces security, and severely depletes natural resources. By bringing together all stakeholders—the local mining communities, the Ghanaian government, and international actors—we believe mobilizing CSOs will help Ghanaian communities address the problem holistically.”
Adnan Adams Mohammed
As efforts are intensified to end illegal mining in Ghana especially in forest reserves, cocoa-growing areas and along water bodies, government is taking steps to ban all forms of mining in forest reserves.
In supporting these political efforts through use of legal regimes and security task-forces, the academia have committed to a new approach.
The Minister for Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, last week assured Ghanaians that steps to repeal Legislative Instrument (LI) 2462, which permits mining in forest reserves, are well underway. He noted that discussions with parliamentary leadership and key stakeholders have taken place, paving the way for the repeal process to be finalized soon.
“We have actually started the process. I engaged the Ranking Member on Subsidiary Legislation, Patrick Boamah, and other leadership members. We have agreed to lay it very soon”, Dr. Murtala Mohammed said indicating that “the controversial regulation is set to be repealed within the 120-day timeline promised by President John Mahama.”
He further explained that, due to ongoing budget discussions, the government opted to bypass a pre-laying process to fast-track the repeal to halt mining in forest reserves.
The academia’s approach
Meanwhile, the University Ghana, in its efforts to engage in multidisciplinary research that addresses societal challenges, has launched a two-year project to tackle the pressing issue of illegal mining in Ghana.
Led by a team of five researchers from the University, the Anti-Galamsey Project seeks to address the menace of illegal mining through research, advocacy and the application of linguistic and cultural strategies.
Operating under the theme, “Sharing Galamsey Research Findings and Doing Advocacy to Stop Galamsey in Ghana,” the project is envisioned to influence public attitudes, change behaviours and promote sustainable alternatives for affected communities.
The adoption of a holistic approach is also intended to provide actionable insights and practical strategies to combat illegal mining, which poses severe threats to communities, ecosystems and livelihoods across the country. This project underscores the University’s commitment to using academic expertise to drive national development and promote environmental sustainability.
The project is led by Prof. Gladys Nyarko Ansah from the Department of English, with team members including Prof. Richmond Nii Okai Aryeetey (FGA) of the School of Public Health, Prof. Abena Animwaa Yeboah-Banin, Head of the Department of Communication Studies, Dr. Margaret Ismaila of the Department of Linguistics and Mr. Bright Frimpong of the Department of Geography and Resource Development. The initiative is funded by the Research and Innovation Directorate.
Prof. Nyarko Ansah, sharing the project’s objectives during the launch laid emphasis on the importance of leveraging language to engage communities effectively. “We aim to raise awareness by sharing research findings, using appropriate cultural and linguistic frameworks. The project also seeks to empower communities to find sustainable livelihood alternatives while ensuring a bottom-up approach to advocacy,” she explained.
She highlighted how language shapes the discourse surrounding ‘galamsey’ noting that, much of the rhetoric has been framed as a “war discourse,” with phrases like, “we are at war,” “we need to fight,” and “we are in crisis; we need to take action.”
While acknowledging the urgency of the situation, she pointed out that such language can create resistance by establishing two opposing sides, supporting a top-down approach that often alienates communities and creates unnecessary enmity.
Prof. Nyarko Ansah advocated for a shift in strategy, suggesting the adoption of lessons from the fight against COVID-19, which relied heavily on collaboration and consensus building. She emphasised the importance of community mobilisation and a bottom-up approach to addressing galamsey, ensuring that communities have a voice in the process.
She also outlined key components of the project, including media campaigns that will produce compelling content for public dissemination and town hall meetings to make room for dialogue and active youth involvement. These efforts aim to influence attitudes, encourage sustainable practices and strengthen community participation. She expressed gratitude to the Research and Innovation Directorate(RID), the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) and other project partners for their invaluable contributions to the initiative so far.
Chairing the launch, Prof. Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, FGA, former Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, described ‘galamsey’ as a complex issue with widespread implications.
“Illegal mining impacts water bodies, forest reserves and involves directing mining waste into rivers. It is also exacerbated by the involvement of foreigners in small-scale mining,” he said.
Prof Frimpong-Booateng, who was the former Chairperson for the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining lamented the complacency of political leaders in addressing the crisis, stating, “Don’t trust politicians when it comes to this business. When they are under pressure from the grassroots, they will change their policies without informing those leading the campaign against illegal mining.”
He, however, expressed confidence in the project’s approach and pledged his full support, offering resources such as videos and pictures to aid its implementation.
Prof. Richmond Aryeetey, FGA, a member of the project team, presented an overview of actions taken so far to combat galamsey. He acknowledged various interventions, including government programmes, arrests, alternative livelihood initiatives and community mining schemes. He highlighted the need for more innovative and community-centered approaches to address the issue effectively.
“There is a lot that has been done, particularly in advocacy, to raise awareness about the scale of galamsey and its impact on livelihoods and health. Academia has also contributed through research and training,” he said. He noted, however, that many efforts from political, traditional and faith-based leaders have not translated into concrete action, reducing them to verbal commitments.
The project will incorporate media campaigns with compelling content, town hall meetings and youth involvement to promote sustainable solutions.
History of Artisanal Small-scale Mining
Artisanal small-scale mining dates back to the 15th century in Ghana. It is an important means of livelihood for many rural people, who use the income from mining to supplement meagre farming income. Ghanaian small-scale mining may be second only to agriculture in its ability to create jobs and boost the economy.
About one million people work directly in the sector, and approximately four million work in services dependent on small-scale mining.
With so many Ghanaians practicing small-scale mining, the government felt the need to regulate mining practices to streamline the sector’s contribution to the economy, regulate the use of resources by small-scale miners, and provide official marketing channels for gold that the sector produced.
In 1989, the government passed the Small-Scale Gold Mining Act, which introduced a licensing process. However, the process is highly bureaucratic, expensive, time-consuming, and riddled with corruption. Only those with money and political connections can secure licenses. Thus the process discourages many Ghanaians without money and influence from applying for and obtaining legal licenses. Since villages depended greatly on the mining sector, unlicensed small-scale mining continued.
Genesis of surge in illegal mining
The scale of illegal mining expanded greatly in the 2000s, when Ghana’s gold reserves and the surge in gold prices attracted many foreign miners from neighboring Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire and countries such as Russia, Armenia, and China. Ghana saw an especially large influx of experienced Chinese miners.
Unregulated and illegal mining by Chinese migrants has severely challenged the Ghanaian government, local communities and rural populations. It has compromised the local economy and security, particularly the well-being and security of women. In response, the government passed the 2006 Minerals and Mining Act, which “reserved” small-scale mining for Ghanaian citizens, and instituted the Alternative Livelihood and Community Mining Program, which sought to diversify sources of livelihood in mining areas. But because of widespread government corruption among national and local officials, their implementation was unsuccessful. Therefore, Chinese miners’ galamsey continues.
Efforts to curb illegal mining
Prior to 2013, the Ghanaian government paid little attention to the proliferation of Chinese migrants in the small-scale mining sector. Although the government did pass the Minerals and Mining Act in 2006, the law was undermined by corrupt officials taking bribes from Chinese miners to allow them to continue mining.
When news media began reporting on galamsey issues in 2013, the government felt pressure to respond. President John Mahama established a task force made up of military personnel and other state security forces. The task force was instrumental in deporting over 4,500 Chinese miners and the seizure of mining equipment, but it also attempted to curtail illegal mining by Ghanaians. During presidential and parliamentary electoral campaigns in 2016, however,
the Mahama government held back on enforcement against Ghanaians due to pressures from some communities that threatened to vote against it for attempting to stop them from working in galamsey mines.
After Mahama’s electoral defeat, the new government under President Nana Akufo-Addo nonetheless sought to reinforce the ban on illegal mining. In 2017, an Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining was set up to deal with the problem. The new government also launched Operation Vanguard, which deployed 400 military and police officials
in centers of illegal mining. Also, an Alternative Livelihood and Community Mining Program is also in place to train those previously involved in small-scale mining for work in other sectors. All have failed to curb illegal mining.
Obstacles to curbing illegal mining
Meanwhile, according to a policy brief ‘Galamsey in Ghana: Mitigating its Negative Effects’ published by Felicia Dede Addy and Shikshya Adhikari, they indicated that; among the many obstacles to curbing illegal mining are the corruption of government officials and heavy-handed crackdowns by the security forces. Other reasons include a weak judicial infrastructure and complicit local populations that directly benefit from illegal mining.
The policy brief proposed a peaceful means for curbing Chinese galamsey in Ghana through greater reliance on CSOs, emphasizing that, “forceful curbing of galamsey will only lead to more violence and abrupt loss of livelihoods. Grievances will increase, aggravating the challenges communities already face.
“The government’s ban on illegal mining and violent crackdowns are compounding the problem while failing to tackle it systematically. The problem of Chinese illegal mining in Ghana is both serious and complicated. It secures livelihoods for some and destroys it for others. It
creates dependencies, incites violence, reduces security, and severely depletes natural resources. By bringing together all stakeholders—the local mining communities, the Ghanaian government, and international actors—we believe mobilizing CSOs will help Ghanaian communities address the problem holistically.”
