Accra: As Nana Kojo Mensah II, Divisional Chief of Gwira Ampansie, expressed concerns over the destructive activities of illegal miners in his community during a TV3 news segment, the ongoing battle against illegal mining in Ghana was brought into sharp focus.
According to Ghana News Agency, illegal mining, or galamsey, continues to wreak havoc on Ghana's environment, particularly in the Western Region. This activity has severe health, economic, and ecological repercussions, affecting water bodies like the Pra, Ankobra, and Offin Rivers. These rivers have become toxic due to mercury, cyanide, and other harmful chemicals, posing a threat to millions of Ghanaians who rely on them for drinking, fishing, and farming.
The Western Region is particularly affected, with illegal mining activities leading to significant pollution of rivers and loss of farmlands. Research indicates that the Ankobra River contains mercury levels ten times the national limit, along with high concentrations of lead and other pollutants. Pollution indices reveal moderate to high contamination from mining chemicals, raising serious concerns among policymakers and individuals about the future of the country's environment.
The Pra Basin is also heavily contaminated, with turbidity levels far exceeding WHO limits and arsenic, lead, manganese, and iron concentrations surpassing safe thresholds. Over 60 percent of Ghana's water bodies now carry heavy metals, rendering them unusable and posing significant health risks, especially to children in galamsey hotspots.
To combat these issues, radical solutions are being considered, including the establishment of special galamsey courts to expedite trials. The government has also taken steps to revoke problematic licenses and initiate restoration projects. However, voices like Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey are calling for stronger law enforcement and community action to address the root causes of illegal mining.
Prominent figures like Mr. Kofi Eshun advocate for the destooling of traditional rulers and holding local officials accountable to curb illegal mining activities. As Ghana faces the potential for long-term environmental damage, there is a growing call for patriotism and collective action to reclaim mined lands for agriculture and ensure a sustainable future.