Audio By Carbonatix The National Coordinator of the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (RCOMSDEP), Ama Mawusi Mawuenyefia, has identified greed as a central driver of illegal mining activities in the country, known as galamsey. She said that when the programme began its work, it was necessary first to understand the root causes of illegal mining in order to develop a holistic response. According to her, although multiple factors exist, greed remains at the heart of the problem, with many individuals continuing the illegal activity due to its perceived economic benefits. "First of all, we needed to diagnose the problem and identify what the cause was and all of that. At the heart of this is greed. So many people are greedy," she said on JoyNews' Newsfile on Saturday, April 25, when discussing the menace of galamsey and the recent calls by pastors and paediatricians to end galamsey. She explained that the rising global price of gold has intensified the situation, encouraging more people to engage in illegal mining in pursuit of quick financial gains, often without regard for the environmental and social consequences. "We also recognise that the price of gold is skyrocketing; between when we took office and now, it has gone up by over $2,000 per ounce," she said. "People are also looking out for livelihood opportunities; people want jobs," she added. READ ALSO: Gov’t has made significant gains in galamsey fight – RCOMSDEP Coordinator Ms Mawuenyefia warned that this behaviour continues to undermine national efforts to sanitise the mining sector and protect natural resources. DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited. Tags: Galamsey rCOMSDEP DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited. Related to this story ‘Galamsey will lead to conflict over water if unchecked’ – Kwame Akuffo warns Galamsey fight ‘uncoordinated and failing’ – Daryl Bosu Galamsey fight: Stop ‘Presbyterian approach’ and take drastic action – Kwame Akuffo tells gov’t RCOMSDEP Coordinator says galamsey fight is holistic and multi-pronged Gov’t has made significant gains in galamsey fight – RCOMSDEP Coordinator Free Zones CEO Dr Mary Awusi apologises to Church of Pentecost Chairman over galamsey remarks Conviction of party officials in galamsey cases will deter illegal mining – Appiah-Danquah Two dead, one in critical condition after galamsey pit collapse at Assin North “We’ll treat him as a politician next time” — Free Zones CEO warns Pentecost Chair Apostle Nyamekye over galamsey comments Chiefs and youth march against emerging galamsey activities in Berekum Latest Stories Free Zones CEO should’ve been sacked for her comments against Pentecost Chairman – Charles Owiredu2 minutes RCOMSDEP Coordinator identifies greed as a major cause of galamsey16 minutes ‘Galamsey will lead to conflict over water if unchecked’ – Kwame Akuffo warns19 minutes S.A. xenophobic attacks: Ablakwa warns against retaliatory attacks in Ghana23 minutes Ghana relocates citizen after Xenophobic attack in South Africa – Ablakwa29 minutes Galamsey fight ‘uncoordinated and failing’ – Daryl Bosu35 minutes JoyNews Impact Makers Awards 2026 to honour self-funded changemakers on May 1536 minutes Galamsey fight: Stop ‘Presbyterian approach’ and take drastic action – Kwame Akuffo tells gov’t49 minutes JS Construction launches female scholarships and donates industrial printer to Kumasi Technical University1 hour RCOMSDEP Coordinator says galamsey fight is holistic and multi-pronged1 hour Gov’t has made significant gains in galamsey fight – RCOMSDEP Coordinator2 hours Kwame Akuffo urges Ghana to address local xenophobia while condemning attacks abroad2 hours Abirem MP demands a unified African response to Xenophobic attacks in South Africa2 hours South African authorities have pledged to tackle xenophobic attacks – Ghana’s High Commission2 hours AU must act on Xenophobic attacks against Ghanaians in South Africa – Ken Ashigbey2 hours