Lecturer at the University of Professional Studies Accra (UPSA) and Aide to Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Ellen Ama Daaku, has said that illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, cannot be stopped if the operators are earning more than the minimum wage set by the government.

In a discussion on the Angel Morning Show (AMS) on Monday, November 10, 2025, she stressed that if the government wants to curb galamsey, the minimum wage should be increased.

She explained that a rise in the minimum wage would empower galamsey operators to abandon illegal mining and secure better employment, as they would earn decent wages.

“How do you expect people involved in galamsey to stop if they’re earning 300 cedis a day while the minimum wage is 21 cedis a day? increase the wage, if you want them to stop,” she added.

According to her, the fight against galamsey is being handled in isolation, implying it should be considered within the current economic conditions and their impact on people.

“We should weave the galamsey fight into the current situation and its impacts on people,” she said.

Ellen Daaku further pointed out that it’s tough for young people to survive on 700 cedis a month when their peers are earning more from galamsey, stating that “such a person would also be tempted to join in order to survive.