Illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, has emerged as one of Ghana’s most pressing national issues, with three out of ten Ghanaians (30%) identifying it as the country’s second biggest challenge, according to a new poll by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA).
The survey, which polled over 1,000 people across all regions in December 2025, ranked galamsey just behind unemployment (46%) on the list of issues Ghanaians consider most important facing the nation today.
The prominence of illegal mining in public consciousness highlights widespread concern over environmental degradation, water pollution, related health issues, and the long-term sustainability of Ghana’s natural resources.
“30% of respondents indicated that illegal mining tops the list of the most important issues facing the country today,” the IEA stated in its press release dated February 11, 2026.
The findings suggest that the environmental and health consequences of galamsey have become a major anxiety for ordinary Ghanaians, surpassing traditional concerns such as corruption (9%) and the general state of the economy (8%).
The IEA noted that the high ranking of galamsey reflects growing public awareness of the damage caused by illegal mining activities to Ghana’s water bodies, forest reserves, and agricultural lands.
Many communities, particularly in mining areas, have reported severe water pollution that has affected their access to clean drinking water and livelihoods.
President John Dramani Mahama, who assumed office on January 7, 2025, inherited an illegal mining crisis that had intensified over the previous years.
The environmental destruction caused by galamsey operations has become a source of national debate, with civil society groups, traditional authorities, and environmental activists calling for more decisive action.
The survey results indicate that policy efforts aimed at regulating illegal mining activities are likely to resonate strongly with the public, particularly if they produce visible and measurable results on the ground.
The IEA emphasised that how the galamsey issue is handled will likely influence public views on governance and environmental stewardship in the future.
Despite these concerns, the poll showed that President Mahama maintains a 68% job approval rating, suggesting Ghanaians remain hopeful that his administration can tackle the illegal mining menace alongside other pressing national challenges such as unemployment and the rising cost of living.
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