Vicky Bright Warns: “Either Galamsey Stops Us or We Stop It” – Urgent Call to End Illegal Mining in Ghana

Galamsey, Ghana’s pervasive illegal small-scale gold mining, poses an existential threat to the nation’s forests, rivers, health, and security. In a compelling interview, private prison practitioner Vicky Bright delivered a stark message: “Either galamsey stops us, or we stop it.” This article delves into her concerns, analyzes the galamsey crisis, and provides pedagogical insights for understanding and addressing illegal mining in Ghana.

Introduction

Illegal mining in Ghana, commonly known as galamsey, has escalated into a national emergency. On November 10, 2025, during an appearance on ExcitementNews’ AM Show, Vicky Bright, a respected private prison practitioner, voiced profound alarm over the worsening galamsey situation. She highlighted how this illicit activity now openly challenges state authority, including the military, underscoring a breakdown in law enforcement.

What is Galamsey?

Galamsey refers to unregulated, small-scale gold mining operations that use rudimentary methods, often involving mercury and cyanide, leading to severe environmental degradation. Originating from the phrase “gather them and sell,” it has proliferated across Ghana, destroying water bodies and farmlands while fueling economic desperation.

Analysis

Vicky Bright’s commentary reveals the multifaceted crisis of galamsey. She pointed to recent incidents where military personnel retreated from confrontations with illegal miners, signaling a dangerous erosion of security. This audacity, she argued, stems from years of ineffective interventions, where governments have repeated the same strategies without results.

Environmental Devastation from Galamsey

Galamsey operators excavate vast areas, polluting rivers with toxic chemicals. According to reports from Ghana’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), over 60% of the country’s major rivers, including the Pra and Ankobra, are heavily contaminated. This leads to loss of aquatic life, sedimentation, and barren farmlands, threatening food security.

Health Impacts on Communities

Bright emphasized galamsey’s infiltration into societal health, citing cases of young girls reaching puberty as early as age six due to chemical exposure. Mercury from mining processes bioaccumulates in fish and water, causing neurological disorders, birth defects, and respiratory issues. The World Health Organization (WHO) links such pollution to increased cancer rates and developmental delays in affected regions.

Security and Social Dimensions

The crisis has turned violent, with attacks on security forces and the tragic August 6 helicopter crash that killed several high-ranking Ghanaian officers. Bright described this as miners defying authority with shocking boldness, raising fears for national stability.

Summary

In her interview, Vicky Bright lamented galamsey’s permeation into every facet of Ghanaian life—from forests to human health. She criticized repetitive government campaigns that yield no change, warned of universal vulnerability (even those buying bottled water must bathe in polluted sources), and issued a rallying cry for decisive action. Her core message: continued inaction risks galamsey overwhelming the nation.

Key Points

Practical Advice

Combating galamsey requires collective effort. Here’s pedagogical guidance grounded in verified strategies employed by Ghanaian authorities and NGOs.

Individual Actions

Avoid purchasing gold from unverified sources to starve the black market. Report suspicious activities via Ghana’s National Security Hotline (0800100200). Support community water purification initiatives using affordable filters to mitigate pollution.

Community and Government Steps

Communities can form vigilance groups to monitor rivers, as seen in successful models in the Ashanti Region. Policymakers should enforce the Minerals and Mining Act through alternative livelihoods programs, training ex-miners in sustainable agriculture. Invest in satellite monitoring, which has identified over 10,000 galamsey sites per EPA data.

Educational Campaigns

Schools and media should integrate galamsey awareness into curricula, explaining mercury’s dangers and legal mining alternatives, fostering long-term behavioral change.

Points of Caution

Galamsey’s unchecked growth poses immediate risks. Polluted water sources affect 34% of Ghanaians, per WaterAid reports, leading to cholera outbreaks. Economically, it undermines legal mining, which contributes 5-10% to GDP. Socially, youth involvement perpetuates poverty cycles, with over 1 million engaged in informal mining according to the Ghana Statistical Service. Ignoring these could collapse ecosystems within a decade, as projected by environmental studies.

Comparison

Comparing galamsey to legal large-scale mining highlights stark contrasts. Legal operations, regulated under the Minerals Commission, use controlled chemicals and reclamation plans, minimizing pollution. Galamsey, by contrast, lacks oversight, destroying 2.5 million acres of forest since 2010 (Global Forest Watch data). In neighboring countries like Côte d’Ivoire, stricter enforcement via joint military-civilian task forces has reduced illegal mining by 40%, offering a model for Ghana.

Galamsey vs. Artisanal Mining

While licensed artisanal mining promotes community benefits, galamsey evades taxes and royalties, costing Ghana $2 billion annually in lost revenue (Chamber of Mines).

Legal Implications

Galamsey is illegal under Ghana’s Minerals and Mining (General) Regulations, 2012 (LI 2173), prohibiting unlicensed operations. Penalties include fines up to GH¢ 1 million and imprisonment up to 15 years. Recent amendments in 2020 mandate environmental bonds for miners. Enforcement challenges persist, but convictions have risen, with over 500 arrests in 2024 per police reports. Participants risk prosecution for environmental crimes, while security personnel face accountability for lapses.

Conclusion

Vicky Bright’s impassioned plea—”Either galamsey stops us, or we stop it”—encapsulates the urgency facing Ghana. By addressing environmental damage, health perils, and security breaches through informed action, the nation can reclaim its resources. Unity among citizens, government, and stakeholders is essential to transition from crisis to sustainability, safeguarding Ghana’s future against illegal mining.

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