By Ebenezer ASUMANG
If you think the economy is more important than the environment, try holding your breath while counting your money. —— Prof. Guy McPherson
The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and TAKE CARE of it [emphasis mine] ——Genesis 2:15; NIV
There is evidence of gold extraction activities in Ghana as far back as the 7th and 8th centuries A.D., as gold deposits attracted Arab traders. These activities were strategically located along rivers where sediments believed to contain deposits of gold were washed constantly to separate the gold grains.
This was a source of wealth for these communities and individuals engaged in mining. As time went on, it was revealed that deposits of iron, limestone, kaolinite, and other clay minerals existed in some quantities. Gold, however, was and is the principal mineral extracted, accounting for 90% of extracted minerals (Aboka, Y.E. et al, 2018).
Mineral wealth is an important asset that can be used to stimulate or enhance economic growth and spur infrastructure development, including the building of schools, hospitals and road networks. Mining has played a substantial role in the development of Ghana.
Like all industries, however, mining has both benefits and risks for the people living in communities where minerals are found. How these environmental and health impacts are managed by the government, nearby communities and mining companies can either worsen or improve the lives of community inhabitants.
Mining is not new to me because I was born and bred in a mining town where my deceased father worked as a Mechanical Engineer for many years. However, the current menace was extremely remote or non-existent at the time. Where has this act come from?
Small-scale mining – “Galamsey”
Small-scale mining is carried out at an individual level, mostly by those with very little technical know-how or machinery. It is estimated that over 10 million people worldwide are directly engaged in small-scale mining activities, with another 80 to 100 million people directly or indirectly dependent on the production of these activities for their survival (Aboka, Y.E. et al, 2018). Most of these individuals are not miners by choice, but out of necessity. Small-scale mining is viewed with different perspectives by different groups of people and countries.
The International Labour Organisation defines small-scale mining as less intense and operated with basic or low-level machinery. In Ghana, small-scale mining involves “the mining of gold by a technique not involving substantial expenditure by an individual or group of people not exceeding nine in number or by a supportive society made up of ten or more persons”.
Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM), locally known as “galamsey,” has emerged as a pervasive issue in Ghana characterized by environmental degradation, land and water resource depletion, health hazards for miners, and social and economic impacts (Samuel A. Ofori; Joshua Dwomoh et al, 2024).
Researchers indicate that, although Ghana’s economy was predominantly agriculture-based, many small-scale “galamsey” miners flourished and depended on the mining and smuggling of these minerals for sale outside the country for their livelihood.
These individuals sought mainly to further their economic gain without considering the adverse social, political or environmental impacts of their actions. The differences in mode of extraction, the legality of the operation, the quantity extracted, as well as the extractive volumes split the mining region of Ghana into two major approaches: large-scale legal mining and small-scale illegal “galamsey” mining.
Current state and effects
The voices against galamsey have been overwhelming in the last few months, and this shows that all hands are on deck to halt and entirely exorcise the ghost of galamsey. All concerned citizens and organisations are stepping up their game to ensure we walk the path of environmental integrity.
The effects of this menace are simply irreversible in the short term if immediate action is not taken. There is:
Environmental Impact:
- Water pollution: Galamsey contaminates rivers, streams, and groundwater, affecting aquatic life and human consumption.
- Deforestation: Mining activities lead to widespread forest destruction, exacerbating climate change.
- Soil degradation: Mercury and other toxic chemicals used in mining harm soil fertility and agricultural productivity.
Economic Consequences:
- Loss of revenue: Illegal mining deprives Ghana of significant revenue, estimated at billions of cedis annually.
- Unemployment: Galamsey operations often employ unskilled labour, perpetuating poverty and underdevelopment.
- Health risks: Miners and nearby communities face serious health hazards from toxic chemicals.
Social Implications:
- Community disruption: Galamsey activities disrupt social cohesion, leading to conflicts and displacement.
- Child labour: Children are often involved in hazardous mining work, compromising their education and well-being.
- Cultural heritage: Mining destroys historical and cultural sites, erasing Ghana’s cultural identity.
Joining forces
- Government efforts alone are insufficient: Collaboration between government, civil society, traditional leaders, and local communities is crucial.
- Public awareness: Educating the public about galamsey’s consequences can foster behaviour change.
- Community engagement: Involving local communities in alternative livelihood initiatives can reduce dependence on galamsey.
- Economic empowerment: Providing alternative employment opportunities and supporting small-scale mining formalization can reduce poverty.
- Technology and innovation: Leveraging technology, such as drones and satellite imaging, can enhance monitoring and enforcement.
Strategies for Collective Action and Call to Action
- National policy framework: Develop and enforce policies to regulate small-scale mining.
- Community-led initiatives: Support community-driven projects for alternative livelihoods.
- Public education campaigns: Launch awareness campaigns to highlight galamsey’s consequences.
- Technology-based solutions: Utilize technology for monitoring, tracking, and enforcement.
- Collaborative enforcement: Combine efforts of security agencies, traditional leaders, and local communities.
- Protect Ghana’s environment and natural resources.
- Promote sustainable livelihoods and economic development.
- Ensure public health and safety.
- Preserve cultural heritage.
Conclusion
Ghana was where the anointing domiciled after Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah declared Independence at the old polo grounds in Accra in 1957, and so all other African nations’ leaders came to Ghana to tap into the anointing to secure independence from 1960 and beyond. Therefore, Ghana became a leader in all things good.
Remember this patriotic song of yesteryear:
Ghana my happy home
Land of rich resources
Land of mighty talents, racial tolerance, justice and freedom
Ghana my happy home, home of the brave and virtuous
Land of smiling people, of charming faces and glorious culture
I will strive for thee, glorious Ghana
I will die for thee, glorious Ghana
I will uplift thy name in all I think, or speak or do.
We must meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Notes
- Ecological Study of Galamsey Activities in Ghana and their Physiological Toxicity (Samuel A. Ofori et al, 2024)
- An Integrated Approach to Assess the Environmental Impacts of Large-Scale Gold Mining: The Nzema-Gold Mines in the Ellembelle District of Ghana as a Case Study (Dawuda O. Kaku et al, 2021)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8295839/
- Review of Environmental and Health Impacts of Mining in Ghana (Aboka Y.E et al, 2018) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6221437/
- Impacts of Illegal Mining (Galamsey) on the Environment (Water and Soil) At Bontefufuo Area in the Amansie West District (Kuffour Richard et al, 2018)
Ebenezer is a Dev`t Communication & PR| Project Management| Green Finance||
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ebenezer-asumang/
