Scientect

The Ministry of Lands & Natural Resources (MLNR), and the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology & Innovation (MESTI), have failed Ghanaians regarding the pollution of our water bodies by the mining sector and operations of galamsey. The legacy they have left us is heavily polluted rivers and the degradation of our lands and forests.

What is galamsey?

Galamsey is an illegal practice that involves the use of harmful chemicals and heavy machinery to extract gold and other minerals from reserved lands, rivers, and farmlands. The impact of galamsey is severe and alarming, affecting the environment, agriculture, access to fresh water, preservation of wildlife and forests, and the lives of several communities in Ghana.

The severe consequences of galamsey

Ghana’s galamsey crisis, fueled by government inaction and reckless mining methods, continues to wreak havoc on the country.

One of the most significant impacts of galamsey is the destruction of Ghana’s water bodies. The indiscriminate use of chemicals, such as mercury, to extract gold contaminates water bodies, rendering them unfit for human consumption and harming aquatic life. Further, the mining practice has raised the turbidity levels of several rivers impacting the provision of fresh water to some communities.

Another major catastrophe of galamsey is deforestation, as miners clear trees and cash crops to access mineral-rich areas. This loss of vegetation has compounded issues with soil erosion and the depletion of biodiversity, with long-term consequences on climate change.

Galamsey also has significant adverse effects on the Ghanaian economy. Illegal mining and the pollution of water bodies have resulted in the costly processing of fresh water for human consumption, expensive land restoration due to the damage caused, and the diversion of government resources to tackle the menace. Other economic activities, such as agriculture and cocoa production, have also been severely affected.

Additionally, galamsey has created serious social issues, including conflicts among the illegal miners, farmers, landowners, and the affected towns and villages. In some news reports, these conflicts have escalated into violence, leading to the death of security personnel deployed to fight the illegal practice. Other terrible social issues include child labour and the exploitation of unemployed and vulnerable individuals, as desperate individuals resort to dangerous mining practices to earn a living.

What are the solutions?

Over the last two decades, the Ghanaian government has implemented various initiatives to combat galamsey, including the promotion of responsible small-scale mining, deployment of joint military-police forces to affected areas, the destruction of machinery of illegal miners and prosecution of individuals involved in the practice.

However, galamsey persists because its root causes have not been adequately addressed by the Ghanaian government, including issues of poverty, high cost of living, unemployment, and low wages/ salaries. Other factors include poor awareness and education on the dangers and consequences of illegal mining, weak/ sporadic enforcement of laws/ regulations, corruption, lack of promotion of the concept of responsible citizenship among Ghanaians, and the high economic value of gold.

To tackle the galamsey menace, the government of Ghana must develop sustainable strategies to tackle its root causes rather than arresting or imprisoning illegal miners. Additional measures, spearheaded by the MLNR, MESTI, and traditional leaders, should include a combination of education, fair enforcement of laws, and promotion of small-scale mining practices that are environmentally protective by design.