Insight into Illegal Mining Phenomenon "Galamsey" in Ghana-causes, Effect, and Policy Challenges
Ofori Emmanuel, AtakoraAdams Ph.D

Abstract
The devastating effect of illegal mining has attracted general concern with many calling on government to find lasting solution to the canker. Regardless, of the many efforts and policy interventions by governments over the past decades the canker still. The study's objective was to understand the causes and effects of the galamsey phenomena. And to further examine the effects and challenges of government policy intervention at halting the phenomenon. Primary data was gathered using questionnaires, personal observation while utilizing purposive and snowball sampling techniques. The finding revealed that the main constraint to the illegality is sponsors who are mostly influential people and politicians. Again, disconnect between government and traditional authorities were identified as an impediment. Unemployment seems to have pushed many young people into illegal mining nonetheless, the government’s alternative livelihood program initiated as employment option for the youth in mining is totally inadequate and unattractive to the youth. Solving the high unemployment rate in mining communities and applying the law appropriately without fear and favor is the major step. to fighting the canker. The paper concludes that galamsey is not a depraved endeavor; the problem lies with the unconventional methods and chemicals used in the activities, therefore the paper proposes that government should adopt an innovative approach to the operations of small-scale mining.

Full Text: PDF