Ghana's Galamsey Crisis: Why So Few Prosecutions?

Ghana's Galamsey Crackdown: A Disparity Between Arrests and Prosecutions Ghana is grappling with the devastating effects of illegal gold mining, known as galamsey. A recent report reveals a stark reality: a significant gap between the number of arrests and successful prosecutions. According to Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, "Out of 845 galamsey-related arrests made between 2022 and 2024, only 35 were prosecuted." This low prosecution rate, approximately 4%, raises serious concerns about the effectiveness of Ghana's efforts to combat galamsey. The minister attributes the challenge to weaknesses in law enforcement. However, the government has recently intensified its crackdown, leading to over 500 additional arrests in the last five months. Authorities have also recovered nine no-go areas previously controlled by illegal miners. While the increased enforcement is a positive step, the persistent disparity between arrests and prosecutions underscores the need for comprehensive reforms within the judicial system to ensure that those involved in galamsey face the consequences of their actions. The fight against galamsey requires a multi-pronged approach involving stricter laws, improved law enforcement, and community engagement to protect Ghana's natural resources.