Christine Opoku Onyinah is a distinguished legal professional with a deep commitment to advancing justice and human rights on both national and international levels. She is admitted to the Bar in three jurisdictions—Ghana, New York, and England & Wales—demonstrating her extensive legal expertise and versatility. Christine’s academic journey includes a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) with First Class Honours and a Master of Laws (LLM) in International Law and International Relations from the University of Kent, UK, as well as a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Land Economy from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana.
Over the years, the tides have washed something devastating onto Ghana’s shores: the crisis of illegal mining (popularly known as galamsey). This issue is everywhere- dominating the news, shaping political discourse as we head into an election year, appearing in classroom lectures, and sparking everyday conversations. A glance at the rivers Pra, Ankobra, Oti, Offin, Birim, and other water bodies, once pristine but now as a deep tea-stained brown, resembling the colour of Lipton tea, shows the alarming damage. Our forests are scarred beyond recognition, warning us of the far-reaching health, environmental, and economic toll that galamsey is already bringing to Ghana. Unlike other issues that have plagued the country, which one might try to ignore, galamsey is a crisis that cannot simply be shoved aside.
This article argues that whilst leaders are often blamed for the galamsey crisis, the role of followers is equally significant. The actions (or inactions) of everyday citizens can either fuel or curb this problem. Any meaningful change in the galamsey crisis requires active, responsible followership, with citizens playing an engaged role in holding leaders accountable and advocating for sustainable practices.
The Galamsey Crisis in Ghana
Galamsey[2] is a local term for illegal or unregulated small-scale gold mining.[3] It refers to gold mining operations that operate without proper licenses, evade taxes, and disregard important environmental and safety regulations.[4] The consequences are far-reaching- land is degraded, water sources are polluted, and public health is put at risk. For instance, the Ghana Water Company has issued warnings about water shortages, with pollution from galamsey being a major culprit. It’s hardly surprising, given that about 60% of Ghana’s waterbodies are polluted. Health issues like kidney failure, birth defects, and various cancers have also spiked in communities affected by galamsey. What began as a rudimentary form of mining has now evolved into a full-blown, sophisticated operation fuelled by excavators and an influx of foreign nationals, together with unemployed locals seeking opportunities in the sector.
Naturally, the government has been called upon repeatedly to address this growing crisis. Successive administrations have attempted various measures to curb the spread of illegal mining.[5] Yet, the reality remains the same – corruption, policy gaps, weak enforcement,[6] and the complicity of government officials all contribute to the ineffectiveness and short-lived nature of these interventions. This starkly illustrates a key point: while leadership is undoubtedly important, depending solely on leaders has not solved the problem.
Understanding Followership: The Missing Link
Followership is often seen as secondary to leadership, but it is actually essential, complementing leadership in powerful ways. Instead of the old belief that everything hinges on leadership, it is often followers who shape the direction and impact of a leader’s work.[7]
Barbara Kellerman breaks down followers into five types, each defined by their level of engagement. Isolates are completely detached, oblivious to their leader or the leader’s goals. Bystanders are aware but, as their name suggests, choose not to get involved, implicitly supporting the status quo, as do Isolates. Participants are somewhat engaged, whether in support or opposition, with their involvement driving progress. Activists are highly invested, actively working either to support or oppose the leader. Diehards are the most committed, willing to risk everything for their cause.
Applying these types to Ghana’s galamsey crisis, Isolates are those who ignore the issue altogether, unconcerned by its impact. Bystanders, from citizens to government officials, see the impact of illegal mining but choose to remain passive. Participants include local leaders and small-scale miners who support galamsey for economic reasons despite the illegality and environmental harm, as well as groups speaking out against it. Activists range from miners fiercely defending their activities to environmentalists exposing galamsey’s consequences. Finally, Diehards on both sides are deeply committed, whether they’re political or business elites who will go to great lengths to keep galamsey alive, or advocates who tirelessly fight to end it, regardless of the obstacles.
This spectrum of followership shows that combating galamsey requires more than leadership alone- it demands the active, ethical involvement of every type of follower.
How Different Types of Followers Influence the Galamsey Crisis
In any situation, it’s often proactive followers who help bring about change. So what does it mean to be a “good follower” in Ghana’s galamsey crisis? Essentially, a good follower is engaged with leadership, actively supporting positive change and opposing harmful actions. As Maame AS Mensa Bonsu points out, it’s hypocritical for followers to blame poor leadership while doing nothing themselves; passive followers can end up perpetuating systems of impunity and unaccountability.[8]
In the context of galamsey, Barbara Kellerman’s categories of followers illustrate how different types of engagement-or lack thereof-shape the issue. Isolates and Bystanders, who remain passive and indifferent, indirectly allow the crisis to persist, as their silence condones harmful mining practices. Many Ghanaian citizens fall into these categories, often exhibiting apathy towards leadership and a reluctance to engage with issues that don’t seem to directly impact them. Like the citizens of Omelas in the story, where happiness for the majority depends on the suffering of one child, this group permits injustices to thrive so long as they don’t feel an immediate cost.
On the other hand, Participants and Activists engage directly with the galamsey issue, seeking change through awareness and advocacy. Media outlets and civil society organisations have kept the crisis in the public eye, continuously pressing leadership for action. Demonstrators, like the over 40 protestors who led a three-day #StopGalamsey protest, have shown the power of followership by demanding accountability and highlighting galamsey’s devastating impact on Ghana’s environment and future. Even Organised Labour joined the fight, threatening strike action over environmental concerns, marking a significant shift in advocacy. Such engagement has pressured leaders and shaped political dialogue, pushing political parties to declare their positions on galamsey. Meanwhile, some small-scale miners and powerful elites who benefit financially from galamsey have resisted these calls for reform, illustrating how followership can push in opposite directions.
Diehards, though rare, include those deeply invested in either side of the galamsey debate. On one hand, they include the miners and powerful elites willing to go to extreme lengths to protect their work, as was seen in the attack on a journalist and his crew working to expose the galamsey menace. On the other side, there are diehard civil rights advocates risking their health and liberty to protest against the leadership’s handling of the galamsey crisis.
Ending galamsey will require more Ghanaians to shift from passive roles to active, ethical followership. But this issue also reflects broader challenges in building a good society. Galamsey highlights the need for citizens to engage responsibly, shaping leadership and driving systemic change.
Lessons on Followership for Building a Good Society
The relationship between citizens and the government is a powerful dynamic at the heart of any society. With rights come responsibilities, including the need for citizens to engage actively in decisions impacting the common good. Informed, active citizens are a force for change, creating trust and promoting transparency. For democracy to thrive, citizens must stay aware of local issues, challenge leadership decisions, and demand accountability for policies that truly benefit society.
A powerful example of such followership comes from Kenya, where Gen Z youth protested against a Finance Bill proposing tax hikes. What began as a peaceful protest grew into a broader campaign for accountable governance. With intensity, protestors pushed past barriers, reaching parliament and setting parts of it on fire, forcing the President to concede: “I run a government, but I also lead people, and the people have spoken.” This proves that when followers are determined, they can make leaders listen.
Similarly, in Ghana, public outcry and organised labour pressure halted the sale of SSNIT hotels to a sitting MP. This strength of unity holds lessons for Ghana’s fight against illegal mining, also known as galamsey. Just as citizens protected public assets, they can hold leaders accountable to protect resources, enforce stricter laws, and drive sustainable change. With sustained, citizen-led efforts, Ghanaians can continue to shape their future and demand a society that values its resources and works for everyone.
Conclusion
Addressing Ghana’s galamsey crisis calls for more than strong leadership- it demands active, ethical followership. When citizens take responsibility for staying informed, speaking out, and holding leaders accountable, they become powerful allies in the fight for a sustainable future. Ghana’s future doesn’t rely solely in the hands of those in power; it relies on all of us to protect our environment and communities.
Each of us must reflect on our role in shaping society. Are we bystanders, or are we ready to engage, demand change, and defend what matters? By stepping up and working together, we can shift the direction of this crisis. It’s time for Ghanaians to take their rightful place, driving change not from the sidelines but from the heart of the issue. Together, we can turn the tide on galamsey, ensuring that Ghana’s resources and future are secured for generations to come.
