Ghana’s Galamsey Crisis: Understanding the Roots and Ripple Effects of Illegal Mining

This article comprehensively examines the multifaceted issue of illegal mining in Ghana, termed galamsey. The study examines the essential drivers, socio-economic implications, and environmental repercussions associated with this phenomenon. Through qualitative interviews and case studies, the research indicates that individuals engage in illegal mining primarily due to economic hardships, a scarcity of job opportunities, and the appeal of rapid financial gains. Many miners, particularly young adults from rural communities, offer personal narratives that illustrate the desperation motivating them to risk their health and livelihood in hazardous conditions. The findings reveal that approximately 48% of women in Damang, one of the study areas, are involved in galamsey, which counters the prevailing notion that this activity is predominantly male-dominated. The socio-economic analysis demonstrates that galamsey significantly disrupts local economies by undermining agricultural productivity and societal stability. Furthermore, the study highlights the various initiatives that governments have implemented over the years to combat galamsey, including the establishment of task forces, which have largely proven ineffective. It also illustrates how galamsey contributes to social instability and governance challenges, as local authorities frequently struggle to regulate these operations effectively due to issues of corruption or competing political interests.