Galamsey fight has failed; government must change strategy – Senyo Hosi

Convener of the OneGhana Movement and Trustee of the Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey, Senyo Hosi, has called for a change in Ghana’s approach to fighting illegal mining, saying the current strategy has failed to produce lasting results.

He argued that the government’s continued reliance on military operations and raids would not end galamsey unless it addresses the economic and political interests behind the practice.

Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, November 14, 2026, he stated that the country must acknowledge the failure of its current approach and find more effective ways to tackle the problem.

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“The fight against galamsey has failed. We should stop going around the bush. It has failed,” he said.

According to him, illegal mining has become a major source of income for many communities, while some politicians and powerful individuals also benefit financially from the activity.

He explained that without addressing these interests and providing alternative jobs for affected communities, efforts to stop illegal mining would continue to face resistance.

Hosi warned that relying heavily on security personnel could lead to more clashes between residents and officers, citing previous incidents, including the killing of a soldier.

He also questioned the commitment of politicians to ending illegal mining, saying some difficult decisions must be made to tackle the problem.

“If you want to win this, you will win it. The only thing is that it comes at a certain cost. Politicians will not want to pay,” he said.

He called for a new approach that uses technology, provides alternative sources of income and removes the financial benefits that encourage illegal mining.

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He stressed that winning the fight against galamsey would require more than enforcement operations, urging the government to address the root causes of the problem while protecting the environment.

DR/BAI

“The Cedi Knows No Political Parties” – President Mahama