Ghana is currently grappling with a significant crisis as illegal mining, locally known as "galamsey," becomes a central issue in the upcoming presidential election.
This practice, which accounts for 40% of the nation's gold production, employs over a million people, many of whom are young men driven by unemployment and poverty.
However, it operates outside legal frameworks, enriching criminal syndicates while causing severe environmental damage.
The ecological impact of galamsey is profound, with more than 4,700 hectares of land destroyed across seven regions, according to Ghana’s Forestry Commission.
Rivers have been poisoned by mercury and cyanide runoff, threatening drinking water supplies for millions, as reported by the Ghana Water Company Limited. The once-thriving cocoa farms, crucial for export revenue, have also suffered, with over 19,000 hectares lost to mining activities.
As Ghana heads to the polls, the illegal mining crisis has become a flashpoint. Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and former president John Mahama of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) are vying for the presidency. Yet, both candidates have been criticized for lacking clear strategies to tackle the issue.
Clement Abaidoo, executive director of the Center for Environment, Natural Resources and Sustainability, remarked, “None of the parties have outlined a clear, enforceable strategy to tackle illegal mining.”
For many young voters, galamsey symbolizes political negligence. Frank, a miner who asked not to use his real name, expressed the frustration felt by many: “Instead of sending soldiers to destroy our equipment, they should create decent jobs for us.
We don’t want to turn to crime to survive.” His sentiments echo those of miners who feel targeted by government crackdowns but ignored in national planning.
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