New york: Ghana's fight against illegal mining requires stronger partnerships with the private sector and sustained international support, according to Ambassador Bishop Dr Samuel Owusu. Speaking at the 11th Annual UN Multi-Stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals (STI Forum 2026), held on 6-7 May 2026 in New York, the West Africa Head of Mission for the Pan-African AU Agenda 2063 Diplomatic Mission and Country Director of the International Association of World Peace Advocates (IAWPA-Ghana) warned that illegal mining, locally known as galamsey, continues to destroy Ghana's land and water resources.
According to Ghana Web, Owusu highlighted that galamsey has become a national crisis, polluting rivers, degrading farmlands, and endangering public health in affected communities. He pointed out the severe consequences of contaminated water supplies, the occurrence of birth defects, and unsafe living conditions as significant human and environmental costs.
Owusu noted that while successive governments and civil society organizations have introduced measures to curb the menace, the problem persists due to limited technology, weak monitoring systems, and insufficient resources for affected communities. He urged the adoption of science, technology, and innovation as practical tools to address the crisis, citing real-time water quality monitoring, geospatial mapping, and radiation detection technologies as effective solutions.
He called for stronger collaboration between government and the private sector, along with sustained support from the United Nations and international partners to facilitate technology transfer, capacity building, and investment in affected communities. Owusu emphasized that without coordinated action, Ghana risks losing critical water resources and undermining progress in public health, education, and sustainable development.
Owusu also announced that, on his return to Ghana, the Pan-African AU Agenda 2063 Diplomatic Mission, in collaboration with IAWPA-Ghana, will host the African Union Day celebration on 25 May 2026 at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre. The event will be held under the theme: Assuring Sustainable Water, Technology, Peace and Security.