The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources says winning the fight against illegal small-scale mining, also known as galamsey, requires a fundamental shift in mindset among those involved.

Speaking on JoyPrime’s Prime Morning Show on Monday, September 1, the Ministry’s Public Relations Officer, Paa Kwasi Schandorf, noted that many young people continue to engage in galamsey despite being aware of its environmental impact and legal risks.

“If somebody is going to a galamsey site, and the person is returning with GH¢2,000 a day but of course engaged in an illegality, migrating them from that profitable enterprise to something which is equally profitable, but perhaps not as profitable as they are used to… Naturally, money answereth all things; money is powerful,” he explained.

Mr. Schandorf stressed that while alternative livelihoods are important, they must be complemented with strong sensitisation and behavioural change efforts.

“That is why sensitisation comes in. Indeed, you have to educate them on the need for them to earn productively, but also preserve the environment,” he said.

He argued that the problem extends beyond economics and called for a deliberate effort to “rewire” the thinking of those involved in illegal mining.

“It’s not only about providing an alternative. You have to rewire their thinking, because mindset is everything. How you perceive issues basically informs response, conduct, and behaviour,” he added.