Article By: Samuel Kwaku Bonsu
A call to action has been sounded by Samuel Kwaku Bonsu, Rector of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), to address the devastating impact of illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, on Ghana’s environment, economy, and public health.
Galamsey has become a major challenge for Ghana, with its effects felt across the country.
The unregulated activity has led to widespread deforestation, pollution of vital water bodies, and destruction of farmlands, resulting in the loss of biodiversity, soil degradation, and increased greenhouse gas emissions.
Environmental Degradation
The environmental impact of galamsey is alarming. Rivers, such as the Pra, Ankobra, Oti, Offin, and Birim, have been contaminated with toxic chemicals, including mercury and cyanide, used in gold extraction.
The pollution has destroyed aquatic life, affecting the livelihoods of communities that depend on these water bodies.
Health Hazards
The use of mercury and cyanide in gold extraction has created serious health hazards, including respiratory diseases, skin conditions, and birth defects.
Exposure to these toxic chemicals has led to chronic diseases, such as kidney failure and cancer.
In fact, Ghana records over 24,000 cancer cases annually, partly due to environmental factors like galamsey.
Economic Consequences
Galamsey has significant economic implications, with the Ghanaian government losing revenue due to tax evasion and royalties.
The practice undermines the formal mining sector, threatening the country’s economic stability.
The long-term economic costs of galamsey far outweigh the short-term gains.
Loss of Life
The menace has also claimed numerous lives. In January 2025, a clash between soldiers and illegal miners resulted in seven fatalities.
The risk of death is not limited to those involved in illegal mining. Innocent lives, including the tragic death of two-and-a-half-year-old twins who fell into an abandoned galamsey pit, have been lost.
A Call to Action
Bonsu emphasizes the need for a united front to address the escalating disaster.
He cites the lack of alternative economic opportunities in mining communities, corruption, and weak enforcement of mining regulations as major factors driving galamsey.
“We need to recognize that galamsey is not just an environmental issue, but also a social and economic one,” Bonsu said.
“We must work together to address the root causes of this problem and find sustainable solutions.”
A Message to Politicians and Business Leaders
Bonsu urges politicians, business leaders, community leaders, and financiers behind galamsey to choose Ghana over greed.
He encourages them to invest in legal enterprises that uplift the nation and create jobs for young people.
“Leadership is about service, not exploitation,” Bonsu said.
“True leaders protect their people and build sustainable economies, not ones based on destruction.”
A Message to the Youth
The youth of Ghana are also encouraged to explore alternative livelihoods in agriculture, vocational training, and entrepreneurship, rather than engaging in galamsey.
“Galamsey may seem like a quick way to make money, but it is destroying our land, poisoning our water, and putting your health and life at risk,” Bonsu said.
“You have the power to build a future where you can thrive without harming the environment.”
The Way Forward
GIMPA will host a public dialogue on galamsey later this year, seeking to propose practical solutions to address the issue.
The dialogue will bring together stakeholders from government, civil society, and the private sector to discuss ways to combat galamsey and promote sustainable development.
As Bonsu emphasizes, solving galamsey requires political will, strong law enforcement, community engagement, and sustainable economic policies.
With coordinated efforts from all sectors, Ghana can protect its environment while ensuring responsible mining for future generations.
The article is written by Samuel Kwaku Bonsu, Rector of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA).
Source: www.thenewindependentonline.com
