Galamsey fight needs more than promises - Kofi Bentil cautions Mahama

Legal and policy analyst Kofi Bentil has warned President John Dramani Mahama against underestimating the complexities of the fight against illegal small-scale mining (galamsey).

Speaking on Newsfile on JoyNews on Saturday, February 8, 2025, Bentil emphasized that previous efforts have failed because galamsey is not just a law enforcement issue but a deeply entrenched economic and social problem.

"Gold is a spirit, and from time immemorial, it makes men mad. People are willing to kill and die for it. If we think this is just about law enforcement, we will fail," he cautioned.

Bentil urged the government to adopt a long-term national recovery plan focused on land restoration and alternative livelihoods, stressing that merely stopping galamsey is not enough.

He called for tougher enforcement, environmental rehabilitation, and sustainable economic solutions to ensure lasting progress in Ghana’s fight against illegal mining.