{
  "id": 2576070,
  "title": "Galamsey has become a livelihood, an endemic problem – Senyo Hosi",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/galamsey-has-become-a-livelihood-an-endemic-problem-senyo-hosi",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-22T12:20:38.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/galamsey-has-become-a-livelihood-an-endemic-problem-senyo-hosi/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Senyo Hosi, a prominent advocate and trustee, has characterized illegal small-scale mining, or galamsey, as an \"endemic\" issue deeply woven into Ghana's social and economic fabric. On JoyNews' Newsfile, he stated that galamsey has transcended mere illegal activity to become a significant source of income, complicating efforts to curb it through enforcement. \"The socioeconomic reality is that galamsey has become a livelihood,\" Hosi emphasized. \"It is so entrenched, you can hardly separate it from politics, economics and community harmony. Chiefs, families, everyone supports it,\" he added.\n\nThe allure of galamsey lies in its financial rewards. According to Hosi, even those with minimal education can earn between GH¢3,000 to GH¢10,000 per week by digging pits. He questioned the earning potential of formal sector workers, asking how many in his office, Multimedia Group Limited, could match that income. \"Graduates, how many of them?\" he queried.\n\nHosi argued that the situation is beyond the realm of eradication and requires a policy shift from fighting galamsey to regulating and formalizing the sector. \"You can't fix this. We have moved past the point of no return,\" he stated. Ghana's economy is heavily reliant on gold, with 63% of its exports dependent on the sector. Over half of this gold comes from artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM). Hosi stressed that since ASM is a major contributor to gold production, policymakers must seek ways to regulate the sector rather than solely aiming to eliminate it.\n\nHe also pointed out that galamsey affects not just mining communities but stretches across Ghana's broader political and economic landscape. As such, Hosi called for a more pragmatic approach that acknowledges the economic significance of galamsey while addressing its environmental and social impacts.",
  "summary": "Convener of the OneGhana Movement and Trustee of the Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey, Senyo Hosi, has described illegal small-scale mining, popularly known as galamsey, as an “endemic” problem that has become deeply entrenched in Ghana’s economic and social life.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "Galamsey fight has failed; water quality shows we’re retrogressing – Senyo Hosi",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/galamsey-fight-has-failed-water-quality-shows-were-retrogressing",
        "published": "2026-08-22T12:48:33.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}