Ghana’s fight against illegal mining, popularly known as 'galamsey', has become a thorn in the flesh for successive governments over the years.

Government has been fighting illegal mining for several years, but the efforts and investments have all proved futile.

In 2017, President Akufo-Addo made a declaration putting his presidency on the line in the fight against illegal mining and launched a joint police and military taskforce named 'Operation Vanguard' to end the menace.

It was during the launch that the President made his famous statement, “I am prepared to put my presidency on the line on this matter.”

Despite massive public support, the impact of the operation was minuscule.

Many critics have condemned and suggested possible ways to champion the fight, yet they have proven ineffectual.

A member of Chifeng Gold Mining Group, Executive Director and Head of Corporate Affairs at Golden Star Ltd., Gerard Boakye, is one to add his opinion on the issue.

Speaking on Joy Prime’s Prime Morning Show, Mr Boakye explained that fighting against the menace comes in different forms, which government has failed to identify.

He said “It’s a livelihood thing. So, the fight can be in the form of making sure that you provide enough livelihood for people, which will make ‘galamsey’ unattractive. That’s a fight.”

Additionally, he opined that fighting with guns and bullets is not imperative in some circumstances.

“Fighting with guns and bullets sometimes becomes necessary in certain areas where you realise that it’s not a livelihood issue but a criminality issue,” he told Roselyn Felli on Wednesday.

He commended the government for the measures taken to combat the canker. However, he believes that progress can be made if policies are properly enforced in addressing all aspects and challenges associated with illegal mining.

Having been in the mining sector for a long time, Mr Boakye opined that it is vital to understand the angle of fight that will be of benefit to the people engaged in illegal mining and the ones impacted by it.

He also urged political parties that are planning to legalise ‘galamsey’ to refine their language and make it more sustainable and environmentally friendly.

Some presidential candidates have pledged to completely eradicate illegal mining when voted into office, but Mr Boakye says the question should be, “Do you think you can win the fight?”

The first government intervention to deal with illegal mining was the legalisation of small scale mining in 1989, the Small Scale Gold Mining Law, PNDC Law, L.I 218. After the passage of the law, there was a military intervention to deal with the menace. Unfortunately, these could not end illegal gold mining.

In 2006, government launched 'Operation Flush Out' to deal with illegal miners. This was a nationwide military exercise to flush out illegal miners who were expanding to legal mining sites. The Minerals and Mining Act of 2006 (Act 703) was also passed, prohibiting foreign citizens from participating in small scale mining. But this did not resolve illegal mining.

Fast forward to 2019, the Akufo-Addo administration established 'Operation Halt' to end the illegal exploitation of another natural resource, timber, especially in the Brong-Ahafo and Western regions, and the unrestrained destruction of forest reserves because of illegal mining, farming and lumbering. The operation was relaunched in 2022.

While the government is fighting ‘galamsey,’ individuals including stakeholders, traditional leaders and citizens are urged to support the course for a better Ghana.