Illegal mining, or “Galamsey,” is silently eroding the very foundation of Ghana’s future. While it may be happening in remote areas, its consequences are felt nationwide—in the destruction of our environment, contamination of water bodies, and loss of agricultural productivity. If we do not act now, Ghana may soon face the grim reality of importing water or distilling seawater to survive. The silence of citizens, leaders, and key institutions must be broken, as this has grown beyond an environmental issue—it is a national disaster.
The Silent Catastrophe
The devastation Galamsey is wreaking on our environment cannot be overstated. Rivers and streams, once relied upon for clean drinking water and agriculture, are now poisoned by mercury and cyanide, rendering them unusable and toxic. Forests, essential for maintaining ecological balance and supporting biodiversity, are being felled to make way for illegal mining pits. The Ghana Medical Association continues to warn of the severe health risks associated with consuming polluted water and contaminated food sources, including diseases like kidney failure and respiratory infections.
Worse still, Ghana’s famed cocoa industry is suffering. Illegal mining has taken over large swathes of cocoa farms, leading to a drastic reduction in production and contributing to Ghana losing its position as the world’s leading cocoa producer to Ivory Coast. This loss is not just economic; it’s cultural and generational, threatening a proud legacy built over decades.
The Role of the Media: A Silent Voice Needs to Roar
In this fight, the media must not remain passive. The issues surrounding Galamsey should not be whispered in backrooms or discussed only in isolated reports—they must be echoed loudly and consistently. The media has a responsibility to ensure that illegal mining becomes the talk of the nation, a subject of daily discussion in homes, offices, schools, and on the streets.
Ghana’s journalists, broadcasters, and editors must take the lead, continuously keeping this issue in the spotlight. Every radio show, every news bulletin, every front-page headline should prioritize this threat to our nation’s future. The media must hold leaders accountable, question policies, expose corruption, and push the government to take decisive action.
Foreign Exploitation: Ghana’s Dilemma
It is a bitter irony that while Ghana allows foreign nationals, particularly from China, to engage in illegal mining, these same countries have stringent laws against such activities in their homelands. The lax enforcement of our own laws, compounded by corruption and a lack of political will, has emboldened these foreigners to exploit our resources without consequence. We must demand accountability from our leaders and public officials, who have failed to enforce laws designed to protect our land.
A Diplomatic Coup for National Survival
Beyond the media, Ghana’s diplomatic corps and foreign representatives have a vital role to play in the fight against Galamsey. Many of the illegal miners are foreign nationals, primarily from countries like China, where laws against illegal mining are strictly enforced. It is a national embarrassment that foreign nationals are exploiting Ghana’s resources without facing any serious repercussions, while their home countries maintain strict environmental protections.
The diplomatic community in Ghana must join the conversation, helping to negotiate and push for the enforcement of international laws and trade agreements that protect Ghana from this exploitation. Let this issue become the “talk of the season,” a rallying cry not just in our national discourse, but on the global stage as well.
A National Call to Action
This is no longer an isolated problem; it’s a crisis that demands the collective action of every Ghanaian, institution, and organization. The time for passive observation has long passed. We need all hands and voices on board now. And the Time is now.
- The Christian Council of Ghana, the Muslim Council, and other religious leaders must speak up and encourage their followers to fight for the environment. Every sermon, prayer, and spiritual gathering should be a platform to address this issue. Religion has a powerful voice in Ghana, and now is the time to use it.
- Traditional rulers, as custodians of our land, must enforce strict measures within their communities, reclaiming their ancestral lands from the clutches of illegal miners. Chiefs and elders must lead this charge, taking bold steps to protect their territories.
- Teachers’ unions and educators must engage in the fight by raising awareness among students, the future leaders of the nation, about the irreversible damage caused by illegal mining. Schools should encourage environmental activism and the promotion of sustainable practices.
- Civil society organizations must intensify their advocacy and activism, ensuring the voices of the people are heard in parliament, in boardrooms, and on the streets. Galamsey must be confronted head-on with protests, petitions, and policy proposals.
Drastic Measures for a Lasting Solution
It’s time for radical measures to put an end to this crisis:
- Galamsey should be declared a national disaster, treated with the same urgency as a natural catastrophe. Resources must be mobilized at the highest levels to address it.
- The military and specialized task forces should be deployed to protect water bodies and forests, with strict orders to dismantle illegal mining camps and seize equipment.
- All mining operations should be suspended temporarily, allowing the government to audit existing practices and ensure only responsible mining can resume under tight regulation.
- Harsh penalties should be imposed on illegal miners, including long-term imprisonment, heavy fines, and the confiscation of all equipment and profits.
- Create alternative livelihood programs to support those who have turned to Galamsey out of economic desperation. Agriculture, ecotourism, and small-scale sustainable industries must be promoted to ensure long-term economic stability.
A Time to Unite
The fight against illegal mining is a fight for Ghana’s survival. It is no longer just an environmental issue—it is an economic, social, and moral issue that affects every citizen. We must all stand united, speaking out at every opportunity, in every forum, to demand an end to Galamsey.
The time to act is now. We cannot allow this national disaster to worsen. Ghana’s future depends on the decisions we make today, and if we do not act, we risk losing everything—our land, our water, and our children’s future. Let us rise up, reclaim our environment, and stop Galamsey before it stops us. In the inaugural speech, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo made a powerful call to action: “Be citizens, not spectators; be active participants in the development of your country.” These words resonate deeply in the context of the fight against illegal mining (Galamsey). We cannot afford to sit on the sidelines while our environment, resources, and future are being destroyed. Every Ghanaian must heed this call, stepping up to speak out and take action to protect our lands and water bodies.
The president’s words remind us that it is not enough to merely observe these destructive activities—we must actively engage, raise our voices, and demand accountability from those in power. Being a citizen means advocating for what is right and just for the nation’s future. The battle against Galamsey is a test of our commitment to safeguarding Ghana, and it is time for every citizen to become a vocal advocate for the environment, for our livelihoods, and for future generations.
Let us remember, as President Akufo-Addo emphasized, that we are not mere spectators in this crisis; we are citizens, entrusted with the duty to protect our homeland.
A citizens Article by: Ing Peter Debrah
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