In towns and villages across Ghana, a quiet problem is growing beneath our feet. Galamsey, the illegal and unregulated mining of gold, is slowly damaging our rivers, forests, and communities in ways many people don’t realise. Recent reports show that galamsey operations have invaded 44 out of 288 forest reserves.
Galamsey might seem like a quick way to make money, but its long-term consequences are severe. Illegal mining sites often use harmful chemicals, such as mercury, which is washed into rivers such as the Pra, Ankobra, and Offin. This pollution makes the water unsafe for drinking, fishing, and farming, affecting thousands of families who depend on these rivers every day. In some areas, scientists have found mercury levels up to 10 times above safe levels, which can cause long-term health problems.
Galamsey also destroys huge portions of farmland. Each time the soil is dug up and trees are cut, a piece of Ghana’s future, its fertile land, clear air, and natural wealth is lost. Farmers in parts of the Western and Ashanti regions report losing fertile soil they relied on for cocoa, plantain, and vegetables. As a result, food production drops, and communities lose essential sources of income.
The social impact is equally worrying. Some young people leave school to work on mining sites, risking their education. Communities near galamsey pits face safety dangers from collapsed mines, open pits filled with polluted water, and poor air quality.
But the situation is not hopeless. Across Ghana, groups are working to restore damaged land, replant trees, and promote safe, legal mining practices. Community awareness programmes are teaching people about the dangers of mercury and how to protect water sources. By reporting illegal mining activities and supporting environmental protection efforts, every Ghanaian can help safeguard our future.
Galamsey is more than an environmental issue; it is a warning. If we protect our land and rivers today, we protect the health, economy, and future of Ghana for generations to come.
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Service As Action Article by Marie Maa Serwaa Kufuor (MYP 5) of Tema International School
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