How ‘Galamsey’ reshapes land, livelihoods, and education in rural Ghana

Illegal small-scale mining, locally known as “galamsey”, has intensified across Ghana, with far-reaching environmental, social and economic consequences for rural communities. Although previous studies have often examined its environmental and livelihood effects separately, less attention has been paid to how these disruptions interact in everyday rural life. This study examines how galamsey reshapes livelihoods, educational participation, environmental wellbeing, and local governance in two mining-affected communities in southern Ghana. Using a qualitative case study design, data were generated through semi-structured interviews with 15 participants, four focus group discussions involving 27 participants, and field observations. The data were analysed using Braun and Clarke's reflexive thematic analysis and interpreted through the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework, Environmental Justice and Political Ecology. The findings show that galamsey constitutes a multidimensional rural development challenge rather than solely an environmental problem. It undermined agricultural livelihoods, increased household insecurity, disrupted children's education, intensified gendered vulnerabilities, reshaped youth aspirations and weakened confidence in environmental governance. The study identifies a double-victim dynamic in which declining livelihood opportunities drew young people into mining, while their participation contributed to the further degradation of resources needed for future livelihoods. Effective responses therefore require integrated, community-centred and justice-oriented approaches combining livelihood diversification, environmental restoration, educational support, youth employment and participatory governance. By showing how environmental degradation, economic insecurity and governance failures reinforce rural vulnerability, the study contributes to debates on sustainable rural development and environmental justice in mining-affected contexts. Policy highlightsGalamsey disrupts land, water, livelihoods and schooling, requiring coordinated rather than sector-specific responses.Farmland degradation and unstable household incomes contribute to absenteeism, child labour and gendered vulnerabilities, particularly among girls and young women.Polluted water and unsafe mining landscapes create perceived health risks and weaken children’s educational participation.Inconsistent enforcement, weak accountability and limited community participation undermine trust in environmental governance.Sustainable responses should combine livelihood diversification, educational support, environmental restoration, youth employment and participatory governance.