Francis Poku, a former National Security Minister, has stated that the government’s reliance on military and police crackdowns to stop illegal mining will not be effective unless it addresses the strong economic incentives that attract many young people to galamsey. In a television interview with TV3 on September 30, 2025, Mr. Poku noted that some illegal miners earn between GH¢40,000 and GH¢70,000 a week, which is significantly higher than the income from most legal jobs or government livelihood programs. This disparity, he explained, helps to explain why illegal mining continues despite repeated security operations.
“Young people are not leaving galamsey because the economic attraction is enormous,” he remarked. “Some are earning up to GH¢70,000 a week. As long as that reality exists and the alternatives cannot compete, security crackdowns will not end the practice.” Mr. Poku emphasized that Ghana cannot rely solely on security measures to address the issue. He urged the government to rethink its strategy and create viable alternative livelihoods that can effectively lure people away from illegal mining.
“Force has its place, but it cannot be the only solution,” he stated. “We must create alternatives that are appealing enough to draw people away from galamsey. Without that, the cycle will continue, and the problem will become more entrenched.”
The former minister also warned of a growing security threat if the economic drivers behind galamsey remain unaddressed. He pointed out that armed groups around mining sites are becoming increasingly organized and could develop into insurgent-type actors if the state fails to tackle the structural incentives that fuel the trade.
“The economic strength behind galamsey is so significant that we must treat it as a national security issue,” Mr. Poku asserted. “If we continue to rely solely on force without addressing the economic factors, we risk creating a situation that will be far more difficult to control.”
Source: Mohammed Ali
