Ghana, the legendary Gold Coast, continues to reel from an environmental disaster that runs far deeper than the visible land destruction and contaminated waterways. Illegal small-scale mining, known locally as galamsey, is tearing the heart out of Ghanaian communities. Beyond the physical damage, it has spawned a human cycle of devastation too often buried beneath political and diplomatic rhetoric.
Addressing the deportation of Chinese nationals arrested for galamsey, Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, Tong Defa, condemned the widespread illegal mining in the West African nation. He emphasised Beijing’s zero-tolerance policy and highlighted measures China has instituted to deter its nationals from engaging in such acts.
“The Chinese government discourages our citizens from taking part in any illegal activities, not only in Ghana but in any country around the world,” he said. “We have strict rules. Anyone involved in illegal mining will not be issued a passport and will not be allowed to return to Ghana. They will also face punishment under Chinese law.”
However, Ambassador Tong cautioned against placing sole blame on Chinese nationals, pointing out that “several foreign nationals are involved in galamsey. It is unfair to synonymise it with Chinese.” He noted that galamsey predated Chinese involvement and has often depended on the collusion of Ghanaian hosts.
He added that most of the Chinese arrested are “just migrant workers” hired by locals. This nuanced perspective highlights the complexity of the issue, acknowledging both foreign involvement and the indispensable role played by local facilitators. It calls for a deeper examination of the human toll of this corrupt practice.
The ambassador said Chinese law enforcement continues to collaborate with Ghanaian authorities to repatriate illegal miners and ensure they do not re-enter the country. This cooperation opens the door to greater accountability and a broader conversation on the long-term consequences of illegal mining.
Shattered Families and Stolen Futures
The long-term tragedy of galamsey plays out daily in the ravaged and impoverished lives of Ghanaian families. Rivers that once sustained communities have become toxic. The Pra, Ankobra, and Birim—once vital sources of clean water—are now laced with mercury and cyanide. No longer safe for drinking, bathing, or fishing, these rivers have left villagers scrambling for potable water. Many now walk several kilometres to access safe drinking water or must rely on expensive sachet water.
A heart-wrenching anecdote from a community leader in Western Ghana captures the despair:
“Our rivers are the lifelines of our communities, but now they are polluted. We are unable to drink the water, we can’t fish, our crops are dead.”
This environmental destruction comes at a direct human cost, as livelihoods vanish and access to clean water and food is increasingly undermined. According to a recent Oxfam report, over 4.5 million Ghanaians living in rural areas have witnessed the destruction of their primary sources of income due to illegal mining operations.
Among the most tangible effects is growing food insecurity, as fertile agricultural land is destroyed. One cocoa farmer in the Western Region described how illegal miners “dug up his plantation, ruining years of hard work.” Another recently told Joy News,
“It feels like a slow death. Our heritage is being stripped away with every shovel of earth.”
Research estimates that galamsey has destroyed around 250,000 hectares of forest land. This not only impacts sustenance but also robs communities of heritage and displaces thousands. According to the United Nations, internal displacement due to galamsey is swelling urban informal settlements, worsening poverty and straining basic services.
The Hidden Scars
The public health effects are devastating. Communities inundated with toxic chemicals suffer rising rates of respiratory illness, neurological disorders, and birth defects tied to heavy metal poisoning. Medical outreach teams have documented increasing cases of kidney failure and skin lesions linked to long-term exposure to contaminated water and soil.
A systematic review published on PubMed noted:
“Children born in these areas may have various forms of defects and malformations,” adding that “the risk of an adverse birth outcome was twice as high in areas with illegal mining activities compared to areas without.”
The George Washington University Blog also cites medical evidence that galamsey activities have led to a rise in neonatal defects, primarily due to exposure to unregulated arsenic and mercury in groundwater.
Hospitals in affected regions are overwhelmed, lacking advanced diagnostic equipment or trained personnel to treat severe cases. Most victims do not receive appropriate care. The continued short-term economic benefits from galamsey are overshadowed by the long-term health crisis it fuels.
One seamstress in the Ashanti Region estimated she could earn more in one month from galamsey than in a year from her business. Her choice, however, exposes the harsh reality: a lack of viable alternatives. With youth unemployment in Ghana at 5.41% among 15–24-year-olds (as of 2024), underemployment and dependence on the informal sector remain rampant.
Economic desperation drives the galamsey cycle, ensnaring many in dangerous work with little protection. Workers regularly face pit collapses, drowning, and mercury exposure—all for minimal pay.
Shared Humanity
As the Ghanaian government enforces anti-galamsey policies and revokes mining licences, the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) is calling for even tougher regulation. Central to this debate is the toll on human life.
Licensed small-scale miners, too, suffer.
“The illegal miners operate with impunity, making it impossible for us to compete fairly or ensure the safety of our workers,” said a representative from the Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners.
Ending galamsey requires international cooperation and inclusive partnerships between government, traditional leaders, communities, and global stakeholders.
The future of Ghana depends on charting a sustainable path—one where its vast resources uplift the population, not destroy its heritage. This means investing in alternative livelihoods, quality education, public health, and social justice. It also means restoring dignity to communities devastated by greed and neglect.
Only then can Ghana turn the tide and reclaim its legacy from the depths of environmental and human tragedy.
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DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
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