Former National Security Minister, Francis Poku, has cautioned that Ghana’s battle against illegal mining (galamsey) will remain unsuccessful if government continues to rely solely on military and police crackdowns without tackling the powerful economic incentives driving the practice.
Speaking in a television interview with TV3 on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, Mr. Poku revealed that some illegal miners earn between GH¢40,000 and GH¢70,000 weekly — a figure far exceeding the income from most legitimate jobs and government livelihood programmes.
“Young people are not leaving galamsey because the economic attraction is enormous,” he explained. “As long as that reality exists and the alternatives cannot compete, security crackdowns will not end the practice.”
He urged government to develop sustainable alternative livelihoods that can rival the economic benefits of galamsey, warning that enforcement measures alone will not be effective.
“Force has its place, but it cannot be the only solution,” he said. “We must create alternatives that are attractive enough to draw people away from galamsey. Without that, the cycle will continue and the problem will become even more entrenched.”
The former minister further highlighted the growing security implications, noting that armed groups around mining sites are becoming increasingly organised. He warned that if left unchecked, such groups could evolve into insurgent-like forces, complicating national stability.
“The economic strength behind galamsey is now so strong that we must treat it as a national security issue,” Mr. Poku said. “If we continue to rely only on force without addressing the economic side, we risk a situation that will be far more difficult to control.”
Source: graphic.com
