By King Amoah.
The term “Galamsey,” derived from the Ghanaian phrase “gather them and sell,” refers to the widespread and often illegal small-scale mining activities that have proliferated in Ghana and neighboring West African countries.
Recently, this issue has spiraled into a crisis, gaining international attention, especially with former Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama’s emphatic calls for justice regarding the imprisonment of labourers involved in these activities.
Former president John Dramani Mahama argues that the enforcement efforts targeting these workers distract from the real issue—the political elites who exploit the system for their profit.
Context of the Galamsey Crisis.
Galamsey has been a contentious issue in Ghana for years, primarily due to its environmental impact and illegal nature.
The government has attempted to clamp down on these operations, often resulting in arrests and prosecutions.
However, reports from correspondents in Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, and Nigeria reveal a troubling narrative: many of these labourers are mere pawns in a much larger game played by prominent figures in Ghanaian society, including politicians and government ministers.
It is they who acquire mining concessions from traditional authorities, facilitating the illegal activities while the labourers, often from impoverished backgrounds, are used as disposable workers.
The Hypocrisy of Arrests.
The current wave of arrests targeting these labourers raises serious ethical questions. Many observers, including former president Mahama and various international communities, argue that it is hypocritical for the government to focus on these workers while the real culprits remain unscathed.
The arrests create a façade that the government is actively combating the galamsey menace; however, they seem to primarily serve political purposes—to shift blame and assuage public outrage without addressing the systemic issues at play.
This selective enforcement sends a clear message about who is deemed expendable in the eyes of the law.
The labourers, often working for a meager wage, are left to bear the brunt of legal consequences, while the higher-ups who orchestrate these operations continue to profit without accountability.
The unsustainable practices in these mining sites, often involving harmful environmental practices and exploitation, can be directly traced back to the decision-makers who prioritize profit over people and principles.
International Support for Mahama’s Demands
In light of these issues, Mahama’s demands for the immediate release of imprisoned labourers echo growing sentiments of injustice.
His calls have garnered support from various international communities, who recognize the complexities surrounding illegal mining in West Africa. They understand that holding labourers accountable is not only unjust but counterproductive to addressing the larger challenge of illegal mining.
The international discourse surrounding this issue illustrates a broader frustration with governance in resource-rich nations, where the exploitation of natural resources often translates to the exploitation of the marginalized.
The complicity of powerful figures within the government highlights the need for more significant systemic reforms to dismantle networks of corruption that allow illegal mining to flourish.
To genuinely tackle the “Galamsey Wahala,” it is imperative that the government shifts its focus from scapegoating labourers to holding accountable those who perpetuate these illegal operations at the highest levels.
As Mahama insists, the labourers deserve compassion and legal protection rather than imprisonment. Their situation is a reflection of broader socio-economic challenges that require nuanced solutions, not punitive measures that fail to address the root causes of the illegal mining crisis.
The “Galamsey Wahala” is not just a local issue; it reflects an intricate web of social, political, and economic factors that require urgent attention. The call to free the imprisoned labourers is justified and should serve as a rallying point for activists, policymakers, and the international community alike.
