A growing campaign is urging the Government to reinvest tax revenue from small-scale mining back into the communities most affected by mining activities. The “Reinvest Royalties” campaign advocates for these funds to be used for critical infrastructure projects, such as schools, hospitals, and environmental protection, in mining regions like Bole and Amansie West.
The campaign argues that reinvesting royalties will not only boost local economies but also reduce reliance on illegal mining, known locally as “galamsey.”
Backed by civil society organizations under the Shared Prosperity Initiative, including the Natural Resource Governance Institute and KASA, the campaign has gained widespread support.
Dr. Steve Manteaw, Technical Advisor for the UK-Ghana Partnership Programme (UKGGP), emphasized the need to empower mining communities by giving them a stake in the royalties generated. According to him, this approach will encourage regulated mining operations and curb illegal mining practices. The campaign has garnered millions of engagements on social media, amplifying its message across the country.
In addition to improving infrastructure, the Reinvest Royalties campaign calls for mining royalties to be directed towards environmental protection. Funds could be used for geological surveys, less destructive mining techniques, and site reclamation once mining operations cease. Supporters argue that better regulation will preserve natural resources while boosting local economies.
Ghana reportedly loses billions of dollars each year to illegal mining and gold smuggling. The campaign stresses that merely enforcing stricter regulations won’t solve the issue. Instead, creating an environment where mining communities benefit from legal mining operations will naturally encourage them to reject galamsey.
The campaign insists that reinvesting royalties will create a sustainable cycle: more regulation will increase mining revenue, and a portion of this revenue should be used to develop the communities. This, in turn, would foster long-term economic growth and help end illegal mining for good.
