Illegal mining, or “galamsey,” has emerged as one of Ghana’s most pressing national challenges in recent times, sparking widespread protests and significant unrest.
One recent protest, organized by the Democracy Hub, led to the arrest and detention of its members, drawing national attention to the escalating tension surrounding galamsey.
Amid this turmoil, Selorm Branttie, Vice President of IMANI Centre for Policy and Education, has delivered a sobering message that Ghana is on the precipice of becoming a failed state if urgent action isn’t taken to address the galamsey menace.
Selorm Branttie, in a candid and deeply critical analysis, pointed out that military intervention—once considered a viable solution to illegal mining—has only worsened the situation.
He explained that over the past nine years, the military has been deployed to combat galamsey, yet the illegal activity has not only persisted but intensified.
This failure, according to Selorm Branttie, is indicative of a much larger, systemic issue that threatens the very fabric of Ghanaian society.
“The moment you throw a national problem at the military and the police, and it does not get solved immediately, you have prepared a cocktail of chaos.
“But what does this mean even? Now, to combat the military, galamsey operators have also weaponized, fuelled by the easy money that comes from the gold. We know now for example that some of them have the latest pump action shotguns and are able to ward off anyone they deem a threat”.
Selorm Branttie, Vice President of IMANI Centre for Policy and Education
The seasoned policy analyst and civil society leader argued that these armed groups are prepared to protect their illegal activities at all costs, even resorting to violence against perceived intruders.
He emphasized that the military’s failure to curb these activities has created an environment where illegal miners now feel empowered to confront state security forces.
A Looming Cartel-Controlled State
Furthermore, Selorm Branttie painted a bleak picture of Ghana’s future if the current trajectory continues.
He compared the country’s predicament to failed states like Haiti and the Democratic Republic of Congo or narco-states like Mexico and Colombia, where cartels wield more power than the government.
He warned that the galamsey crisis could evolve into a full-blown turf war, with gangs forming to protect lucrative mining sites.
“Since the galamsey space is being run by kingpins in conjunction with chiefs, area thugs, and political appointees, they will reach a point where disputes over turf and territory will erupt”.
Selorm Branttie, Vice President of IMANI Centre for Policy and Education
These turf wars, he argued, will spiral into a lawless environment where richer and more powerful gangs dominate smaller ones, with the military and police being forced to take sides.
Worse still, Selorm Branttie noted that there are disturbing signs that elements of the military may already be compromised.
He pointed to a troubling document suggesting that the military’s industrial wing, DIHOC, has been granted ten gold concessions, raising questions about the military’s impartiality in the fight against illegal mining.
“If the army itself has been given concessions, how can they claim any moral authority to stop others from doing the same?” he asked pointedly.
Political Paralysis and Corruption
One of the most damning aspects of Branttie’s critique is his condemnation of political leadership, accusing both major parties of allowing galamsey to thrive out of fear of losing votes.
This, he argued, has created a vicious cycle where politicians are bought by powerful galamsey kingpins, further entrenching corruption within the system.
He warned that once politicians, police, and soldiers are co-opted, the judiciary will inevitably fall next, leaving the country at the mercy of these criminal networks.
At this point, according to Selorm Branttie, galamsey operators will not only control the mining sector but also dictate the country’s political and economic landscape.
He warned that violence will spread from rural mining communities into cities, creating an atmosphere of fear and lawlessness, asserting that as the rule of law erodes, Ghana will become increasingly ungovernable, with gangs, gun runners, and corrupt officials calling the shots.
Environmental Devastation and Social Collapse
The implications of unchecked galamsey extend far beyond law and order. Selorm Branttie warned that Ghana’s rivers, already heavily polluted by illegal mining activities, will be rendered unusable, depriving communities of clean water and compromising agriculture.
With food and water scarcity looming, he indicated that criminal networks could eventually seize control of these vital resources, exacerbating the crisis.
Selorm Branttie’s message to the youth is particularly stark. He admonished them to recognize the long-term consequences of galamsey, warning that their future will be shaped by the lawlessness and environmental degradation that this illicit industry fosters.
“If you are a youth today and you think this doesn’t concern you, or you support a politician because of something small, know that you will grow up in a failed state where even drinking water and minding your business will be a luxury”.
Selorm Branttie, Vice President of IMANI Centre for Policy and Education
He underscored the bitter irony that while young Ghanaians will be left to suffer the consequences of a failed state, the children of the political elite—many of whom have amassed generational wealth through galamsey—will live comfortably abroad.
A Call to Action: Save Ghana from Collapse
Selorm Branttie’s powerful and alarming narrative is a call to action for all Ghanaians, particularly the youth. He challenged the country’s leaders to confront the galamsey menace head-on and warned that failure to do so would result in irreversible damage.
As protests against illegal mining grow louder and more urgent, Selorm Branttie’s voice adds to the chorus demanding meaningful change.
Ghana stands at a crossroads. Will it choose to fight for its future, or will it allow itself to slide into the hands of criminal networks and become a failed state? Selorm Branttie’s message is clear: the time to act is now, before it’s too late.
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