Ghana's artisanal and small-scale gold mining sector is expanding rapidly-mostly outside legal oversight.

This growth is driven by limited job opportunities and the promise of quick income, but is increasingly linked to environmental destruction, foreign involvement, and organized criminal networks. A new report based on three years of research and satellite analysis, reveals how unlicensed mining is intensifying in regions like Western and Savannah, and why enforcement efforts remain weak.

Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Marcena Hunter, Director of Extractives at Switzerland based Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime.

Ghana's artisanal and small-scale gold mining sector is expanding rapidly-mostly outside legal oversight.
This growth is driven by limited job opportunities and the promise of quick income, but is increasingly linked to environmental destruction, foreign involvement, and organized criminal networks. A new report based on three years of research and satellite analysis, reveals how unlicensed mining is intensifying in regions like Western and Savannah, and why enforcement efforts remain weak.
Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Marcena Hunter, Director of Extractives at Switzerland based Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime.

An English news and current affairs wrap with a fresh take on the day’s top stories, hosted by the seasoned journalist Tsepiso Makwetla.

An English news and current affairs wrap with a fresh take on the day&rsquo;s top stories, hosted by the seasoned journalist Tsepiso Makwetla.

Africa Hour

Africa World Hour 

New report exposes rise of unlicensed gold mining in Ghana

South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa has welcomed the return of four men who were trapped in Russia after allegedly being recruited to serve the the Russian army. The four are part of a group of 17 men who fell victim to the alleged syndicate. Two remain in Russia with one in a hospital in Moscow, while another is awaiting the finalisation of his travel arrangements. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Jabulani Khumalo, who speaks on behalf of the families 

 

South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa has welcomed the return of four men who were trapped in Russia after allegedly being recruited to serve the the Russian army. The four are part of a group of 17 men who fell victim to the alleged syndicate. Two remain in Russia with one in a hospital in Moscow, while another is awaiting the finalisation of his travel arrangements. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Jabulani Khumalo, who speaks on behalf of the families&nbsp;
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SA President welcomes four men lured to fight with Russia in ongoing war with Ukraine 

Hundreds of supporters of detained Ugandan opposition figure, Kizza Besigye are continuing to hold a defiant prayer services in an effort to force authorities to free him.  The 69-year-old politician made a brief appearance at the High Court in Kampala earlier today, where defence lawyers argued that prosecutors had made only a partial disclosure of evidence, preventing the court from setting a trial date. Besigye was arrested in November 2024 after being taken from Kenya and brought before a military court on charges including unlawful possession of firearms. The case was later transferred to a civilian court. For more on what the state of the political leader's health is, Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to his wife and UNAIDS director, Winnie Byanyima 

 

Hundreds of supporters of detained Ugandan opposition figure, Kizza Besigye are continuing to hold a defiant prayer services in an effort to force authorities to free him. &nbsp;The 69-year-old politician made a brief appearance at the High Court in Kampala earlier today, where defence lawyers argued that prosecutors had made only a partial disclosure of evidence, preventing the court from setting a trial date. Besigye was arrested in November 2024 after being taken from Kenya and brought before a military court on charges including unlawful possession of firearms. The case was later transferred to a civilian court. For more on what the state of the political leader's health is, Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to his wife and UNAIDS director, Winnie Byanyima&nbsp;
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Wife of imprisoned Ugandan opposition figure, Kizza Besigye calls on African Union leaders to demand 69-year-old's freedom

In one of southern Africa's harshest landscapes, the Richtersveld, scientists have uncovered something extraordinary: a completely new genus and six previously unknown species of beetles hidden in a desert many assume is almost lifeless. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to the two scientists behind the discovery, Roman Borovec, a specialist in beetle morphology and classification, and Massimo Meregalli, an expert in evolution and DNA analysis

 

In one of southern Africa's harshest landscapes, the Richtersveld, scientists have uncovered something extraordinary: a completely new genus and six previously unknown species of beetles hidden in a desert many assume is almost lifeless. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to the two scientists behind the discovery, Roman Borovec, a specialist in beetle morphology and classification, and Massimo Meregalli, an expert in evolution and DNA analysis
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New report exposes rise of unlicensed gold mining in Ghana

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