Galamsey and it's harmful impact in Ghana.

Small scale mining, popularly known as 'Galamsey', a word derived from the phrase 'gather and sell', or Illegal Artisanal Small Scale Mining (ASM) has been a canker of corruption and destruction in the Ghanaian communities. It is an illegal small scale mining activity independent from mining companies and performed by people known as 'galamseyers' or 'orpaillers' in the neighbouring Francophone countries.  Galamseyers normally operate by digging small holes  that appear shallow and smaller than those of mining companies. The number of galamseyers is quite undetermined by estimation to be between 20,000 to 50,000 with over 1,000 of them being Chinese citizens. (Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galamsey#:~:text=Galamsey%20is%20illegal%20small%2Dscale,tunnels%2C%20and%20sluices%20by%20hand. )

This act of illegal mining has become a major problem in Ghana over the few years. Water bodies have been awfully polluted. Galamsey has affected so many aspects of livelihood and the environment.  There has been water pollution, loss of lives and properties, destruction of land and the natural environment etc. In recent light of events, the youth and some citizens of the country have risen and embarked on a demonstration with the aim of the government hearing their cries against galamsey. Influencers and users of the X app, formally twitter brought about a hash tag 'STOP GALAMSEY NOW!!!' which they used in their protest against galamsey. Another demonstration is scheduled from the 3rd to the 5th of Oct, 2024.

Ghana appears to be the largest Gold producer and exporter in Africa and ranks sixth, globally. 4 ounces of gold was produced in the country in 2023. There are a couple of mining industries including the  Ashanti Gold Limited, located at Obuasi in the Ashante Region.

Erastus Asare Donkor, Ghana's award winning journalist, on Ahotor FM labelled Amenfi East Constituency as the headquarters of illegal mining, or galamsey, in the country. He spoke at large about how the Pra, and other river bodies in that district has been badly contaminated to the extent where, the water has been rendered useless, fishes in the rivers can't be consumed. Water from the rivers can not be used for any purpose, be it cooking, washing, irrigation on farm lands, among others. He calls for the immediate arrest of the New Patriotic Party’s Amenfi East Parliamentary candidate, Ernest Frimpong. This stance aligns with concerns raised by civil society groups and the Small-Scale Miners Association, who argue that someone inciting attacks on uniformed personnel should not hold a parliamentary office.

A report by the Ghanaian Times on the 2nd of September, 2024 details the sad news and death of a two-and-a-half-year-old twins who tragically lost their lives drowning in a galamsey pit, filled with water to the brim at the back of their house. According to reports, the mother of the deceased twins was unwell and resting. Upon waking up, she noticed the absence of her toddlers. A search was conducted only for the lifeless bodies of the children to be found in the pit.

Issues regarding galamsey and it's horrific consequences on our lands, forests, livelihood and water bodies have drawn in actions and voices of so many reputed people and groups in the country, with some being the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, UTAG, GWL etc.

On 26th August 2024, during the Asanteman Council Meeting at the Manhyia Palace, the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II de-stooled three chiefs namely, Sabronum Gyaasehene Nana Awua Gyau Atuomi, Sabronum Akyeamhene and Baamuhene. This was as a result of complaints from residents in the vicinity regarding the involvement of the chiefs in the galamsey. Otumfuo also stated that he had heard the claims over a period of time now and had visited and asked the help of the National Investigation Bureau, which also proved the involvement of many traditional leaders in the act of illegal mining.

Asantehene also stated that he had had the reports of the involvement for three months. He also stated how he saw the River Pra on his way to Cape Coast. He added how embarrassed he was upon seeing the state of the river and how bad it had been polluted. 

The University Teachers Association of Ghana(UTAG), on the 9th of September threatened to embark on a  strike if galamsey works in the country is not banned by the end of September 2024. In a press release on the said date, UTAG voices concerns about the alarming rate of galamsey and how bad it's affecting our forest, land and water bodies. The union warns for there to be a ban on the activities or Ghana would have to import water in the next 6 years if these activities aren't halted. It is almost the end of September 2024 and galamsey activities and by the look of things there would be a strike by the UTAG soon.

BBC reported a case with the title ‘Ghana Anti-illegal mining activist on trial’  And this has many people wondering Is it wrong to demonstrate or protest Against a ruling government on a pressing issue? Is it right to have these citizens arrested to the extent of some harm being caused unto some?

Who are the custodians of the lands? It the chiefs? Ministry of Lands and Natural resources? How are these galamsayers procuring the lands to use? What is the GRA and acqua-marines doing about the pollution of the river bodies in Ghana which are being polluted by galamsey activities daily? What measures are being put in place to stop and curb illegal mining in the country? 

REFERENCES:

Ghana is Africa’s largest gold producer, but it has an illegal mining issue: 5 essential reads (theconversation.com)

Babies in galamsey areas are being born with one eye, without genitalia – Pathologist - MyJoyOnline

Ghanaian Times.

X (formally twitter)

Photo Credit: river bodies destroyed by galamsey photo - Google Search , X (formally Twitter)