By : Lloyd Mahachi
Ghana’s quest for gold has turned into an environmental catastrophe, with illegal mining activities devastating the country’s land, water, and forests. The use of mercury and other toxic chemicals has polluted rivers, making water undrinkable and threatening the livelihoods of communities.
Artist Israel Derrick Apeti, known as Enil Art, highlighted the issue by painting a river scene using polluted water from the Pra River. “I could actually paint with the water. It was so bad,” he said. The river, once pristine, is now a yellowish-brown body of water, unfit for human consumption.
Ghana, the world’s sixth-biggest gold exporter, has seen illegal mining spread rapidly, with thousands of sites operating across the country. The practice, known locally as “galamsey,” has destroyed an estimated 4,726 hectares of land, equivalent to the size of European cities like Athens and Brussels.
The environmental devastation has been exacerbated by Chinese businessmen and local politicians, who have ignored environmental concerns and exploited Ghana’s rich gold deposits. The illegal mining has also affected cocoa production, with over 19,000 hectares of farmland destroyed.
Experts warn that the pollution could force Ghana to import water by 2030. Dr. George Manful, a former senior official in Ghana’s Environmental Protection Agency, stated, “Mercury can remain in water for up to 1,000 years… We are slowly poisoning ourselves.”
The government has responded to growing protests by deploying naval boats to halt mining activities. However, critics argue that the measures are insufficient, and the problem requires a more comprehensive solution.
The severity of the issue is underscored by alarming statistics. Over 4,726 hectares of land have been destroyed, 34 of Ghana’s 288 forest reserves have been affected, and 19,000 hectares of cocoa farmland have been destroyed. Furthermore, 76 people have been convicted of illegal mining since August 2021.
The mercury pollution also threatens water sources and the food chain, with Ghana risking becoming an importer of water by 2030. To address this crisis, immediate government action is needed to end illegal mining, prosecute powerful individuals behind the practice, provide alternative livelihoods for communities involved in galamsey, and foster international cooperation to combat the illegal gold trade.
As Ghana prepares for its general election in December, the issue of galamsey is likely to remain a contentious topic. The country’s future depends on finding a sustainable solution to its gold rush, one that balances economic needs with environmental protection.
Editor : Josephine Mahachi