Energy Stakeholders Urge Govt to Set Firm Deadlines in Galamsey Crackdown

Stakeholders in the energy sector are urging the government to establish a clear and enforceable timeframe to combat illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.

They believe that holding key authorities accountable within a defined period is essential to effectively tackling the issue.

Some stakeholders argue that individuals with political connections who are involved in illegal mining should be dealt with first, before attention is turned to small-scale miners on the ground.

Executive Director of the Centre for Environmental Management and Sustainable Energy (CEMSE), Benjamin Nsiah, emphasized the need for decisive action.

“As a country, we need to set a clear timeframe within which we can resolve this issue. During that period, we must identify and confront the drivers of unsustainable mining,” he stated.

Nsiah also recommended using frameworks like the GON theory—commonly applied in corruption studies—to understand the motivations behind galamsey.

“Some engage in illegal mining because they have the opportunity, others out of necessity, and some due to the access they enjoy at the highest levels of governance,” he explained.