GHANA: Ghana’s Gold Rush: An Environmental Crisis

By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu

Ghana’s illegal gold mining, known as “galamsey,” is causing significant environmental damage, leading to severe water pollution and land degradation. Artists like Israel Derrick Apeti highlight the crisis, using polluted river water as paint and describing the Pra River as “once so clean” but now “a yellowish-brown body of water.” The widespread use of mercury has experts warning that “we are slowly poisoning ourselves.”

Protests in Accra demand government action against illegal mining, which has destroyed over 4,700 hectares of land and impacted cocoa production. Despite President Nana Akufo-Addo’s promises to combat the issue, many believe the response is inadequate, as powerful interests in galamsey remain unchallenged.

Local communities express frustration over the lack of meaningful action, with WaterAid urging “immediate action to end the ecocide,” warning that Ghana could face severe water shortages by 2030 if the situation continues

About The Author

Chioma Ndukwu

See author's posts