GALAMSEY: FORMAL AND INFORMAL FIGHT POLITICAL ELITES IN GHANA

Abstract

This research unravels the determinants of the rise of illegal small-scale mining in Ghana and why in spite of the many regulations to make it functional, it is producing sub-optimal results.  The study seeks to examine the role of political elites in the fight against galamsey in Ghana. Today Ghana is faced with man-made destruction of the environment in search of red money (Sika kokoo). How did we get here? There are many claims that by 2030 Ghana will have to import water. The research seeks to highlight and analyse the influence of political elites in the fight against illegal mining in Ghana. These findings challenge government and opposition parties who are both concerned about the effective management of minerals and environmental resources. As the analyses reveal, political elites in both political angles are undermining short and long-term policies that will effectively manage the effect of illegal mining. The political elites are deeply involved and more powerful in the area of mining than the landowners (chiefdoms), undermining the government's fight against galamsey in Ghana. The paper concludes that political leniency and corruption have resulted in a booming small-scale mining in Ghana.