Senyo Hosi Calls for Brutal Ruthlessness Against Galamsey After NAIMOS Assault in Bronikrom, Ghana

Introduction

In a bold statement amid Ghana’s escalating battle against galamsey—the local term for illegal small-scale gold mining—Senyo Hosi, convener of the One Ghana Movement and trustee of the Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey, has urged the government to adopt “brutal ruthlessness” in enforcement efforts. This call follows a violent clash on November 1, 2025, in Bronikrom near Hwidiem, where over 600 residents assaulted officials from the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS). Vehicles, including one belonging to the local Chief Imam, were vandalized during the confrontation over anti-galamsey operations.

Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile program on November 8, 2025, Hosi emphasized that current measures fall short, warning that Ghana risks losing control to illegal miners without decisive action. This incident highlights the intensifying illegal mining crisis in Ghana, where environmental devastation and community resistance threaten national security and sustainability.

Analysis

The NAIMOS assault in Bronikrom underscores deep-rooted challenges in Ghana’s anti-galamsey operations. Galamsey has long plagued the nation, causing river pollution, deforestation, and health crises through mercury use and land degradation. NAIMOS, established to coordinate enforcement, deployed teams to Bronikrom to halt these activities, but faced overwhelming opposition from locals economically dependent on mining.

The Bronikrom Clash: What Happened?

On Saturday, November 1, 2025, NAIMOS officials arrived in Bronikrom, a community near Hwidiem in Ghana’s Ashanti Region, to enforce bans on illegal mining. Reports indicate over 600 residents confronted the team, leading to a violent standoff. Vehicles were damaged, signaling organized resistance. This event is not isolated; similar clashes have occurred as galamsey operators defy crackdowns, often with alleged backing from powerful interests.

Senyo Hosi’s Newsfile Appearance

During his November 8 interview, Hosi critiqued the government’s approach as a “supervision problem.” He argued that deploying insufficient personnel allowed locals to overpower NAIMOS, stating, “At this juncture, we must all realize it needs some brutal ruthlessness.” Hosi advocated for a state of emergency, a measure he previously proposed, to reflect the crisis’s severity. He praised President John Dramani Mahama’s potential leadership, noting Ghana has not seen such resolve since Kwame Nkrumah or Jerry Rawlings.

Hosi’s rhetoric frames galamsey as “the most important struggle our commander-in-chief must fight,” with the nation “losing” ground. Without forceful intervention, he warned, illegal miners could consolidate territorial control, eroding state authority and exacerbating environmental harm.

Summary

Senyo Hosi’s demand for escalated, ruthless action against galamsey stems from the NAIMOS assault in Bronikrom, where residents violently resisted enforcement. He calls for stronger political will, more personnel, and possibly a state of emergency to combat Ghana’s illegal mining epidemic, which devastates ecosystems and communities. This positions the issue as a national security imperative under President Mahama’s administration.

Key Points

Practical Advice

To effectively tackle galamsey, stakeholders can implement targeted strategies grounded in past enforcement successes and expert recommendations.

For Government and NAIMOS

Deploy larger, better-equipped task forces with military support, as seen in Operation Halt operations. Integrate community sensitization programs to highlight galamsey’s long-term harms, offering alternative livelihoods like agribusiness or legal mining cooperatives. Monitor via satellite imagery and drones for early detection.

For Communities

Residents should report illegal operations anonymously through NAIMOS hotlines. Participate in reclamation projects to restore polluted lands, fostering economic alternatives such as eco-tourism or sustainable farming.

For Civil Society

Organizations like the One Ghana Movement can amplify advocacy through media campaigns, pushing for policy reforms like stricter penalties under the Minerals and Mining Act.

Points of Caution

While Hosi’s call for ruthlessness is urgent, balanced enforcement is essential to avoid backlash.

Risks of Excessive Force

Heavy-handed tactics could alienate communities, fueling more resistance as in Bronikrom. Human rights groups, including Amnesty International, have previously flagged excessive force in anti-galamsey raids, urging proportionality.

Economic Dependencies

Galamsey sustains thousands amid youth unemployment; abrupt halts without alternatives risk social unrest. Data from Ghana’s Environmental Protection Agency shows over 60% of rivers polluted, but livelihoods must transition gradually.

Political Influences

Reports from the Ghana Water Company Limited indicate political patronage enables galamsey; enforcement must target financiers impartially to maintain credibility.

Comparison

Hosi compares President Mahama to historical figures, highlighting leadership contrasts in anti-galamsey resolve.

Mahama vs. Nkrumah and Rawlings

Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first president, nationalized mining for state control, curbing unregulated activities. Jerry Rawlings’ military regimes demolished equipment ruthlessly in the 1980s-90s. Hosi views Mahama—re-elected in 2024—as similarly tough, contrasting with prior administrations’ inconsistent efforts, like the 2017-2020 bulldozer operations that faced reversals.

Legal Implications

Enforcing anti-galamsey measures involves Ghana’s Minerals and Mining (Local Content and Participation) Regulations, 2020, and the Environmental Protection Agency Act. NAIMOS operates under executive authority, but assaults on officials constitute offenses under the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), punishable by imprisonment.

State of Emergency Feasibility

Article 31 of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution allows a state of emergency for threats to public safety, as invoked in past crises like Ebola. Hosi’s proposal could enable military deployment and curfews in mining hotspots, but requires parliamentary approval within 14 days. Courts have upheld such measures if proportionate, per Supreme Court rulings on emergency powers.

Illegal mining violates Mining Regulations, with penalties up to GH¢5 million fines or 15-year sentences. However, weak prosecution—only 10% conviction rates per Minerals Commission data—undermines deterrence.

Conclusion

Senyo Hosi’s advocacy for brutal ruthlessness post-NAIMOS assault captures the desperation in Ghana’s galamsey fight. The Bronikrom incident reveals enforcement gaps, but success demands combined force, legal rigor, and socioeconomic alternatives. President Mahama’s administration has a pivotal opportunity to reclaim authority, protect rivers like the Pra and Ankobra, and secure Ghana’s mining heritage. Civil society’s role, exemplified by Hosi, remains crucial in sustaining pressure for lasting reform.

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