Is illegal mining socio-politically entrenched? An opinion piece of the interaction between formal politics and chief dominance in mineral governance, and its influence on fighting Galamsey in Ghana

Gold mining has been the backbone of Ghana's development since pre-colonial times. It has been essential in revenue mobilisation and the provision of employment to many people. However, in recent times the sector has received severe public backlash due to its inability to effect appropriate socioeconomic change; and the consequential destruction to forests, croplands and water bodies that has accompanied the livelihood activity. While the need to curb this menace has been hyper-crucial in recent times, these attempts have failed cyclically. This paper argues that the deep-seated linkages between different power actors such as politicians and chiefs/kings are the driving forces thwarting the fight against the menace. Recently, constructive criticisms from the public have rejuvenated the fight against galamsey, however, the modalities of the fight and socio-political power relations have jointly militated against the effectiveness of the fight. It is particularly argued that policymakers should rather take advantage of the evolved nature of the political landscape of Ghana, where politicians sometimes negotiate with chiefs/kings for political expediency during elections. This can be achieved by motivating chiefs/king’s to become principal “galamsey-fighters”. In the meantime, the authors also suggest that the confiscated excavators from the mining sites which are usually burnt should be stopped and rather sold to generate capital for reclaiming the lands.