Alfred Appiah, Data and Policy Analyst, has weighed in on the ongoing national debate surrounding illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, expressing deep concerns over the government’s failed attempts to eradicate the menace.
His remarks come in response to increasing public outcry over the environmental devastation caused by galamsey operations across Ghana, particularly the destruction of water bodies, forests, and farmlands.
The issue of illegal mining has long plagued Ghana, and despite numerous interventions, successive governments have struggled to make significant headway.
While the new NDC administration under President John Dramani Mahama has vowed to root out illegal mining with ruthless determination, many Ghanaians believe that immediate and drastic steps must be taken to prevent the total collapse of the country’s natural resources.
According to Appiah, the continued failure of successive governments to address galamsey is a reflection of deeper governance failures, particularly the absence of accountability in the fight against illegal mining.
“Politicians propose elaborate schemes—‘geo-tagged’ excavators, artificial intelligence, and other technologies—that don’t address the core problem but waste public funds.
“Many are proposed without any clear, measurable outcomes. Who is ever held accountable when these vague, costly plans fail? Where are the drones that were supposed to be game-changers in the fight?”
Alfred Appiah, Data and Policy Analyst
A crucial aspect of governance is ensuring that policies are well-implemented, monitored, and evaluated. Yet, Ghana has failed in this regard.
According to Alfred Appiah, the billions of cedis reportedly spent on various interventions raise serious concerns about accountability.
The Strength of Galamsey Networks and Political Complicity
One of the most troubling aspects of the galamsey menace is the seeming invincibility of illegal mining operators. Alfred Appiah questioned how these illegal miners have become so powerful that even state security forces appear ineffective against them.
He argued that the issue is far more complex than just locating galamsey sites, asserting that the real challenge lies in the entrenched networks of corruption that allow these activities to persist.
Illegal mining operations are deeply embedded in Ghana’s political economy, with politicians, security officials, and traditional leaders allegedly benefiting from the proceeds.
Some analysts have even argued that galamsey is tied to political campaign financing, as illicit gold trade has become a means of funding political parties and candidates.
Furthermore, there have been numerous reports of state security personnel being compromised, either through bribes or threats, making the enforcement of mining laws virtually impossible.
While technology has been presented as a viable tool in the fight against illegal mining, Appiah argued that it is not a silver bullet.
According to him, Ghana has repeatedly witnessed grand technological solutions that ultimately fail due to poor implementation, lack of oversight, and corruption.
Without addressing the core issues—political will, accountability, and transparency— Alfred Appiah believes any new technological intervention will only serve as another avenue for financial mismanagement.
“This problem must be tackled from multiple angles, including the government’s role in gold trading and political campaign financing. How have galamsey operators become so powerful that even the state security apparatus is ineffective against them?”
Alfred Appiah, Data and Policy Analyst,
If Ghana is to make any meaningful progress in combating galamsey, Alfred Appiah suggested that a more holistic approach is required—one that goes beyond security crackdowns and technological interventions.
The battle against galamsey is not just about protecting Ghana’s environment—it is about governance, accountability, and the future of the country’s natural resources.
Without a radical shift in approach, Alfred Appiah posited that the nation risks losing its water bodies, forests, and agricultural lands to unchecked illegal mining.
