Land Law expert Kwame Gyan has sounded the alarm about the widespread indiscipline and lawlessness that continue to hinder Ghana's fight against illegal mining, commonly referred to as "galamsey."

He cautions that the nation's inability to enforce the law is not only worsening environmental degradation but also weakening the country's social fabric.

Mr. Gyan’s concerns follow recent remarks by Daasebre Asumadu Appiah, the Chief of Akyem Wenchi and Oseawuohene in the Eastern Region, who openly acknowledged that the youth in Wenchi and nearby areas are unlikely to stop engaging in galamsey, despite government crackdowns.

The chief highlighted that galamsey has become the main source of income for many in the region, making it nearly impossible to end the practice without providing alternative job opportunities. He urged the government to consider creating a more regulated community mining scheme as a feasible solution.

During an appearance on the Super Morning Show on Monday, Mr. Gyan described a troubling scenario of a nation where lawlessness has become a widespread issue.

Speaking on the Super Morning Show on Monday, Mr Gyan painted a grim picture of a nation where lawlessness has become the norm.

“There are some scholars who argue that this thing about impunity and indiscipline was one of the legacies of the many revolutions that we have been through, and all those things brought us to a point where gradually we decided not to respect authority and not to respect law and order. It's the general atmosphere of indiscipline and impurity”he said.

Mr. Gyan emphasized that this widespread culture of indiscipline has become a collective failure, impacting all sectors of society. He pointed to the blatant illegal mining activities taking place along the main Accra-Kumasi road as a prime example.

“The main Accra-Kumasi road in the clear eyes of everyone because that road president, speakers, military and the police everybody uses that road. Just inside Osino town about 20 meters from the main Accra-Kumasi road mining is happening there.

Mr. Gyan noted that the pervasive sense of helplessness has crippled the nation's ability to effectively address the galamsey crisis. “We all see what's happening, but we feel powerless to act. Politicians, security forces, the media, and even academia—we’ve all failed to address this issue. We should have acted much sooner.”

Mr Gyan also touched on the possible involvement of political figures in illegal mining, suggesting that their complicity might explain the government’s inability to effectively curb galamsey. "We need to ask ourselves whether political actors are involved. If they aren’t, why can’t they stop it?”

He added that, “All of us we see it and walk away because everybody is helpless, the politicians are helpless, the police, soldiers are helpless, the media is also helpless. We in academia are also helpless , that is why I’m saying that this is our collective failure. It's all of us who have failed, we saw things coming, we should have taken steps earlier.

While acknowledging the economic importance of mining, Mr Gyan called for a more balanced approach that safeguards the environment while still providing livelihoods. "I’m not advocating for an end to mining; it has its benefits. But we must find ways to minimize environmental damage and ensure that people can still earn a living.”

Mr. Gyan also pointed out the increasing number of foreign miners, which he argues worsens the issue.

He urged their immediate expulsion and stressed the importance of collaboration among local communities, traditional leaders, and state authorities to develop lasting solutions.