By Dr. Albert Anani-Bossman, Senior Lecturer – UniMac-IJ
Corruption, cultural dynamics and ineffective crisis communication are identified as key factors undermining Ghana’s efforts at combating illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
A new academic study identified these factors as impeding the galamsey fight. The research, conducted by Dr. Albert Anani-Bossman, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Media Arts and Communication, highlights long standing gaps in enforcement and policy implementation.
Weak enforcement and political challenges
According to the study, successive governments have introduced various measures to curb illegal mining, including task forces and regulatory reforms. However, these interventions have largely produced short-term results, with limited long-term impact.
The study notes that enforcement has often been inconsistent. The supposed enforcement regimes implored are weakened by allegations of official complicity and weak accountability systems. Ghana’s polarized political environment is a huge complicating factor, with partisan divisions leading to blame-shifting rather than a coordinated national action.
Environmental and economic impact
Illegal mining has evolved from small-scale localized activity in small communities into a major environmental crisis, severely affecting water bodies, farmlands and rural livelihoods across the country.
The situation has been worsened by the involvement of foreign actors and the growing use of mechanised mining techniques, which were hitherto not available to local actors. The use of the newly acquired mechanised techniques have intensified the environmental degradation.
The study highlights that, despite the risks associated with illegal mining, galamsey remains an attractive and important source of income for many communities, often generating higher returns than farming and other traditional occupations.
This economic reality, the research suggests, has contributed to resistance against anti-galamsey interventions, particularly in areas with high unemployment rates.
Cultural influences and public response
The study also underscores the role of cultural factors in shaping responses to illegal mining. Practices such as respect for authority which sometimes mimics a level of veneration that goes beyond reverence, limits confronting detrimetal decisions community leaders take. The desire to maintain social harmony can also curtail any challenge to authority if that challenge is likely to be viewed as “rocking the boat”. Traditional interventions such as dwan-tua, where influential figures seek clemency for offenders, have in some cases, allowed illegal miners to avoid punishment.
Role of the media
Official communication on these issues, the study adds, has frequently been perceived as defensive or lacking transparency, and that contributes to declining public trust.
While Ghana’s media has plays a critical watchdog role through investigative reporting and sustained campaigns, the study notes that sustained public pressure on the galamsey issue has often faltered over time.
Call for stronger action
The researcher concludes that without improved transparency, consistent enforcement and more effective communication strategies that reflect Ghana’s socio-economic and cultural realities, efforts to tackle illegal mining are unlikely to succeed.
The findings add to ongoing national discussions on how best to address the growing environmental and governance challenges posed by galamsey.
