Ghana Grapples with Illegal Mining and Violence in Mining Communities
Ghana Grapples with Illegal Mining and Violence in Mining Communities
Ghana’s Deputy Minister for Lands, Hon. Yusif Sulemana, has emphasized the need to address the challenges of illegal mining, also known as “galamsey,” which is linked to insecurity and environmental degradation in mining communities. Speaking at a national dialogue on
violence and extremism in mining communities, Sulemana highlighted the government’s commitment to tackling the issue, citing the establishment of a responsible property mining and skill development program.
The program aims to involve all stakeholders, including chiefs, assembly members, and community leaders, in addressing the challenges faced by mining communities.
Hon. Sulemana noted that the previous community mining approach did not benefit local communities, leading to conflicts and environmental degradation.
Ghana’s gold exports reached $8.3 billion in the first half of 2025, making it the highest half-year total in 2016. However, the country’s mining sector is plagued by illegal mining, which undermines environmental sustainability and poses health risks to local communities.
The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operation Secretariat (NAIMOS) has been working closely with the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) to crack down on illegal mining practices that destroy water bodies and forest reserves. Sammy Gyamfi, CEO of GoldBod, has warned that no volume of gold is worth a human life, emphasizing the need to protect the environment and communities.
However, the situation is becoming increasingly complex, with reports of extremist groups trading guns for gold in mining communities, particularly in the Upper East Region. This has raised concerns about the potential for violence and instability in the region.
The government has launched initiatives to address these challenges, including the National Framework for Preventing/Countering Violent Extremism and Terrorism. The framework involves a multi-agency approach, including civil society organizations, to prevent and counter violent extremism.
