The 2024 elections marked a turning point in our democratic journey. The Mahama-led government’s campaign promises to “Reset Ghana” struck a chord with Ghanaians nationwide, delivering a sweeping mandate at both the presidential and parliamentary levels. Since taking office, the administration has earned deserved praise for confronting corruption head-on and stabilizing a faltering economy.
But while we rightfully commend these strides, there is a glaring crisis that continues to fester beneath our feet, one that threatens to derail all progress if left unchecked: the environmental devastation caused by galamsey operations. If Ghana’s reset is to be truly transformative, it must begin with the land itself. This is not just a policy issue; it is a matter of national survival.
The Galamsey Crisis: A Nation Under Siege
Illegal small-scale mining, known locally as galamsey, has evolved into a full-blown national emergency. Once characterized by crude tools and desperate labor, galamsey has now morphed into a high-tech, well-financed operation with industrial-scale machinery, clandestine networks, and devastating consequences.
Entire rivers are poisoned. Forests are laid bare. Farmlands are collapsing. Communities that once thrived on agriculture and fishing are now wastelands of economic despair. The Pra, Ankobra, and Offin rivers, lifelines for millions, are choking on mercury and silt. Some areas endure water rationing because our rivers are simply too polluted to treat. This isn’t just about the environment, it’s about health, food security, and national cohesion. And yet, our response remains sluggish and fragmented.
Progress So Far: Commendable, But Not Enough
Let’s be clear: the Mahama administration has made real headway in resetting the national agenda. Corruption is being confronted, economic reforms are gaining traction, and public confidence is gradually being restored. But when it comes to galamsey, the urgency isn’t matching the scale of the crisis.
Yes, there have been arrests. Yes, some pits have been shut down. But the operations continue, bigger, smarter, and better funded. And let’s not pretend we don’t know why. Weak political will, vested interests, fractured coordination, and a dangerous absence of urgency are enabling this scourge to fester.
High-Tech Galamsey: The Game Has Changed
This is not the galamsey of the past. Today’s operators are using GPS, excavators, floating dredgers, mercury processing plants, and real-time intel to stay ahead of the law. They are well-resourced, well-connected, and often shielded by invisible hands in high places.
Meanwhile, the state’s response is stuck in an old playbook, sporadic military sweeps, reactive press conferences, and under-resourced task forces. This asymmetry cannot continue. If illegal miners have gone digital, then Ghana’s fight must go digital too.
A Bold Agenda for an Environmental Reset
If “Reset Ghana” is to mean anything, it must include an environmental reset that’s as aggressive as it is immediate. Here’s what must happen now:
1. Declare a State of Emergency on Galamsey
This crisis deserves more than bureaucratic memos. A formal declaration of emergency in heavily affected regions will give the authorities the legal and operational power to act decisively and signal to the nation that we are serious.
2. Convene a National Dialogue on Galamsey
No single government or agency can solve this alone. Bring traditional leaders, local communities, environmental experts, youth leaders, NGOs, and mining regulators to the table. Let Ghana speak to itself, honestly and openly, about the road forward.
3. Establish a Permanent, Independent Anti-Galamsey Task Force
This cannot be another ad hoc committee. We need a multi-agency, tech-enabled, corruption-proof task force with the teeth, tools, and autonomy to act consistently and transparently.
4. Go High-Tech or Go Home
Invest in drones, satellite imaging, and real-time surveillance. Partner with local and international tech experts. Build a digital map of illegal sites. Create an open-source dashboard so citizens can track progress. Use data as a weapon in this war.
5. Tighten Laws and Prosecutions
Illegal mining must carry real legal consequences. Environmental courts, fast-tracked prosecutions, harsher penalties, and legal protection for whistleblowers are critical to creating a culture of deterrence.
The Price of Inaction: A Dying Future
Every day we delay, we edge closer to a point of no return, where poisoned waters, barren soils, and food insecurity become the new normal. Let’s not be the generation that looked away while the land died. Let’s not be the leaders who slow-walk when bold sprints are needed. The Mahama-led administration has public trust. It has the parliamentary backing. It has a historical moment. Now, it must summon the political courage to match.
Conclusion: Save Ghana to Reset Ghana
Let this be the legacy of this government, not just a reset of the economy or the fight against corruption, but the moment Ghana chose to save her environment and, in doing so, her very soul. Galamsey is not just a crime against nature. It is a betrayal of future generations. The call is clear. The tools are available. The time is now. As we reset Ghana, we need to reclaim our environment and reset it from the ongoing galamsey issue. Redeem our future. Galamsey is Not Just an Environmental Crisis; It’s a National Emergency.
