Senyo Hosi Criticises Ghana’s Middle Class Over Inaction on Illegal Mining; Alleges Diplomatic Pressure on Gov’t
Economist and Policy Analyst, Senyo Hosi, has sharply criticised what he describes as the Ghanaian middle class’s inertia and the government’s diplomatic vulnerability in addressing illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, involving foreign nationals.
Speaking during the NorvanReports and Economic Governance Platform (EGP) X Space Discussion on Thursday, April 17, themed “Mining, Power and Protectionism: Who Really Benefits From the Deportation of Foreign Galamseyers?”, Mr Hosi noted that despite the clear illegality of foreign involvement in galamsey, particularly by Chinese nationals, Ghana’s government is under significant diplomatic pressure that compromises enforcement.
“The law is clear, so it’s not a matter of debate,” he said. “The only thing that surely happens is that our government is under serious diplomatic pressure, and who benefits? It’s really the Chinese.”
According to Mr Hosi, Ghana’s economic dependency on China has created an environment where illegal mining activities by Chinese nationals continue largely unchallenged, while the West African country bears the environmental and socio-economic costs.
“We are economically exposed to the Chinese. China always prioritises China—there’s no moral duty to anyone but themselves. What is unfortunate is the stupidity of we as a people,” he quipped.
He bemoaned the passivity of Ghana’s middle class in the fight against galamsey and broader national development issues, arguing that although many in the middle class express concerns privately, few are willing to take concrete public action.
“Ghana’s middle class is easily one of the most remarkably irresponsible bunch of people you find in this whole world. We sit on so much and suffer so much, yet pray someone else will speak up for us,” he asserted.
He added that while some businesspeople and policy actors risk their careers and reputations to advocate for national interest, the larger middle class remains silent.
“We expect others to fight for us while we sit in our bedrooms discussing rumours. Nobody is going to give us the Ghana we need unless we fight for it,” he averred.
The policy analyst speaking further, blamed some traditional leaders and local elites for complicity in perpetuating the menace by accepting bribes and suppressing dissent for short-term monetary gain.
“You have chiefs and opinion leaders suppressing everyone else, allowing illegal miners to operate freely. Then they turn to their MPs to ask for clean water when they’ve destroyed their own rivers,” he added.
In a passionate close to his remarks, Mr Hosi issued a clarion call for Ghana’s middle class to awaken from its slumber and actively participate in nation-building.
“We are irresponsible idiots. I use those words deliberately. Until we take responsibility and fight for the Ghana we want—not just for ourselves but for future generations—we are wasting everyone’s time.”
He warned that if this trajectory continues, the country risks facing a justified revolution led by its youth, who will rightfully question the negligence of the current generation.
“We deserve every single revolution from today’s children, because we have failed them,” he quipped.
