Senyo Hosi Cites Economic Dependence and Political Financing as Major Obstacles to President Mahama’s Galamsey Crackdown

Senyo Hosi, the Convenor of the One Ghana Movement, has warned that President John Dramani Mahama faces significant economic and political constraints in his administration's fight against illegal small-scale mining, commonly known as galamsey. Speaking on Channel One TV’s The Point of View, Hosi highlighted that the current government's efforts to stabilize the economy are deeply complicated by Ghana's heavy reliance on gold revenues. Because the survival of the Mahama administration is tied to economic performance driven by the gold sector—which is often intertwined with small-scale mining—taking decisive, aggressive action against illegal operators remains a high-stakes gamble for the country’s financial recovery.

This current predicament follows what Hosi describes as a "missed boat" during the first term of former President Nana Akufo-Addo. He noted that while the previous administration launched an initial crackdown that effectively disrupted illegal operations, these measures were systematically relaxed due to political considerations leading up to the 2020 general elections. This retreat allowed galamsey to become even more ingrained in local economies, particularly in communities where youth unemployment and underemployment leave residents with few other options for their livelihoods. Hosi argues that the failure to maintain pressure during that critical window has left the current administration with a far more entrenched and politically powerful opposition.

Adding to the complexity is the growing political influence of illegal mining operators, who are increasingly involved in financing political activities across party lines. Hosi expressed concern that this financial leverage creates a cycle of dependency that transcends partisan politics, making it difficult for any government to implement strict environmental policies. This sentiment was echoed by Daryl Bossu, Deputy Executive Director of A Rocha Ghana, who criticized the government for treating galamsey with "kid gloves." Bossu pointed out that while laws exist, they are not effectively enforced, and called for a decentralized approach to enforcement to address the neglect and poor compliance that have characterized the sector for years.

Beyond the immediate political and economic challenges, the persistence of illegal mining continues to threaten Ghana's long-term strategic interests. Analysts, including Nana Attobrah Quaicoe, have pointed to the quiet slide toward strategic dependence as illegal mining impacts water security and allows foreign interests—specifically large-scale Chinese investments—to gain significant leverage over Ghana’s resources. As water bodies remain at risk and the environmental cost mounts, the consensus among observers is that without a fundamental shift away from political expediency toward rigorous law enforcement, the fight against galamsey will continue to be undermined by the very economic structures the government seeks to protect.