On November 2nd, Erastus Asare Donkor, Ghana’s foremost journalist in reporting and laying bare before us the state and dangers of our fight against galamsey, shared a very disturbing report.
In summary, the Director of Operations of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) and his team, as part of an anti-galamsey operation, were attacked by a mob, allegedly mobilised by a sitting Member of Parliament (MP).
In fairness, on Monday, November 3, 2025, one of the MPs mentioned in the story issued a statement offering the sequence of events as he recollects it, as well as denying any involvement in inciting violence.
The police have issued a statement indicating a thorough investigation of what happened.
As we wait for the consequences of this report, we can all agree that the details are chilling. A nation with a conscience must immediately realise the fight against galamsey will not be won easily.
More importantly, the report reveals a multidimensional public problem in need of a multidimensional response.
As we search for a lasting policy solution, if we are truly committed as a nation to fight galamsey, then we must wake up and face the commonly known realities which continue to be discussed in public spaces.
National Security Threat
Galamsey is becoming a national security threat if it is not already. Whenever these operatives are arrested, weapons are always found at the scene.
A galamsey operational centre set on ablaze
This raises the issue of the proliferation of illicit weapons in the hands of people engaged in illegal activity. How are these weapons getting into the hands of galamsayers?
Why are they finding the need to arm themselves?
If this is in response to any attempts by the state to remove them from these galamsey sites, are they signalling to the State that an armed resistance awaits them in any attempts to dislodge them from galamsey sites?
And if that is the case, is the state prepared to use greater force in response?
Imagine every single galamsey site, and the people involved, all fully armed.
Where does that leave the various mining communities?
Surely, this is not only a threat to the security of the communities in which they operate, but collectively, to the state.
It appears we have reached that tipping point where the State must now deploy greater force in the fight against galamsey.
Yet when you read Mr Donkor’s report, an irate youth could only be contained with reinforcement from the security apparatus.
Surely, the state cannot cede its monopoly over the use of force if we are to win this fight against galamsey.
Role of Institutional Actors
It is not uncommon to hear speculation in public conversations that there are institutional actors who provide safety and comfort to the people engaged in galamsey.
It is very difficult to ignore such speculations because it is baffling to observe galamsayers hiding in plain sight without repercussions.
Granted, governments over the years have made efforts to fight this menace but we also hear stories of institutional actors undermining this fight.
That is why the report’s revelation that two sitting Members of Parliament allegedly had a hand in the mobilisation of the mob to prevent NAIMOS from doing its work is extremely disturbing.
What was the motive of these two MPs? Why did they find it necessary to get involved with the work of NAIMOS? What was their interest in ensuring that those arrested by NAIMOS were released?
Again, one of the MPs mentioned has released a statement denying inciting the youth to engage in violence.
But the appearance and reinforcement of public perception that there are powerful forces backing people involved in galamsey is very worrying.
The last thing the public needs is a cynical feeling that the commitment to fight galamsey is not real and that our public officials are simply paying lip service to a vexing public problem.
At the end of the day, we must be very mindful of this.
Fighting galamsey is more than just arresting the young men at the sites, covered in dirt and using crude methods to search for gold.
It will also require dismantling all institutional backing that galamsayers receive.
Institutional actors cannot, with one hand, promise to fight galamsey, and then with another hand, appear to undermine the fight.
The Youth
I share the frustrations of the youth and the many economic pinch points they face. I agree that galamsey has become a source of livelihood for many.
However, the harmful effects of galamsey will be borne by all.
The resort to violence will also destroy the very communities in which they live.
Yes, we need to actively come up with policies and programmes that satisfactorily address the needs of our young people.
But dear young people, let's hold off on the violence.
The writer is the Project Director, Democracy Project
