[Opinion] Galamsey in Ghana: The crisis every government keeps massaging

“Galamsey” is the popular Ghanaian term for illegal mining. In earlier years, many—especially the youth living near mining sites—engaged in small-scale mining as a means of survival.

Though unregulated, its impact on the environment, aquatic life, and human health was not as devastating as what we see today.

For over a decade now, Ghana has struggled to curb galamsey. Successive governments have promised action but have largely “massaged” the situation, leaving the causes and effects unchanged.

When in opposition, the current government joined some citizens and organizations in demanding a state of emergency in mining areas, calling for urgent measures.

Yet after assuming power, they do not see the need for the state of emergency they preached in the past – the situation unfortunately remains the same: rivers are polluted, turbidity levels are high, and thousands of young people are still ‘vorfforusly’ engaged in illegal mining.

There are several primary causes for the sudden shift from the relatively organized small-scale mining, which was once engaged in by only a few people, to the current situation: high unemployment and sluggish economic conditions.

The secondary causes are equally troubling. These galamsey atrocities are heavily financed and protected by powerful actors—politicians, chiefs, foreign nationals especially Chinese, pastors, wealthy Ghanaians abroad, and organized criminal groups.

The double standards of successive governments have turned galamsey into a political ploy. In opposition, they demand drastic measures; in power, they downplay the crisis, arguing that declaring a state of emergency would negatively affect the nearly 4 million people living in mining areas. Meanwhile, the health risks and environmental destruction faced by the rest of Ghanaians continue unchecked.

Civil society has not been silent. Last year, groups such as the Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (under the Conference of Major Superiors of Ghana), the Archdiocese of Accra, VIVAT-Ghana (a Catholic human rights organization founded by the Society of the Divine Word and the Missionary Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit), together with other concerned Ghanaians, took to the streets to pray and petition the government to act decisively.

Yet little was achieved before that government left office – only for its members to now join the chorus of opposition voices.

Honestly, if this has not turned into a political ploy, then what is it? The constant back-and-forth is wearing people out, to the point where many no longer pay attention to developments in the galamsey industry.

One day we hear that ‘chanfan’ machines, excavators, and water pumps have been seized or destroyed; the next day, that some Chinese nationals have been arrested. These are the same refrains we heard under the previous government—the only difference is that one administration sang it like a hip-life song, while the other plays it in reggae.

Galamsey posses security threat to the nation, particularly, places where the illegal mining is happening.

There is a saying that the voice of the people is the voice of God, and ignoring the people’s cry is as dangerous as ignoring the voice of God Himself.

Another saying reminds us that evil thrives when good people remain silent. Today, disturbing photos and videos show innocent children involved in galamsey. Communities living near mining sites lack clean water, exposing pregnant women, nursing mothers, and babies to grave risks.

Stewardship is not ownership. God created us as caretakers, not exploiters, of His creation. Too often, we forget that the rest of creation existed before humanity, and God declared it good. Our lives depend on one another and on the environment.

Though creation cannot speak with human voices, when it cries out in silence, even humans are forced to tremble.

In response, VIVAT-Ghana is preparing to join forces with other advocacy groups to intensify the campaign against galamsey. The message is clear: galamsey must stop, and sustainable, regulated mining practices must replace it.

The trees are begging, the birds are pleading, the rivers are exhausted, and human lives are in danger. Let us act now. Let us end galamsey before it ends us.