BRIEF REPORT ON THE IMPLICATIONS OF IRRESPONSIBLE MINING (A.K.A. GALAMSEY) IN GHANA.

Irresponsible mining, also referred to as Galamsey, is a form of mining that is not guided by any agency rule or regulation and takes all manner of form to access the natural mineral. In the history of Ghana, minerals referenced in galamsey activities have been either gold or diamond.

Galamsey, during pre-colonial times, was undertaken across the Gold Coast. It is the corrupt word for “gather and sell.” In modern times, galamsey has metamorphized into a complete destruction of river bodies, farmlands, forest reserves, and even rural settlements. These irresponsible activities have also heightened in recent times due to politicization of arrest and political affiliation of galamsey operators, corruption, breakdown of security, and state capture by influential groups involved in the irresponsible mining activities.

One observation worthy of note is the diversion of river course. This impedes the flow of the river through dependent communities. A careful observation of the River Pra and the Owerri River shows low level of water and loss of fish stock.

Cautions

In recent times, there has been outcry and outpour of displeasure from CSOs, NGOs and, citizens both prominent and in social spaces for the government to halt galamsey operations. These are evident in media publications referenced below:

Effects

The effects of galamsey have far-reaching implications on Human Rights, and some of which may be irreversible. All these implications are anthropogenic.

1. Drought and food shortages with its attendant higher food prices.
2. Water shortages.
3. Biological disorientation (denial of right to life)
4. High cost of living due to higher cost of treating water at the headworks (water pumping stations).
5. Flooding of low laying communities and settlements.
6. Collapse of Local economy due to its unhabitable state.
7. An increasing poverty levels thus resulting in low standard of living but at higher cost of living.
8. Refusal of postings by public and civil servants eg. Judges, Teachers, fire officers, medical officers.
9. Constitutional crises
10. Breeding of gangs (bandits) resulting in insecurity. This goes as far as funding terrorism in all its forms.
11. Low foreign exchange earnings due to a drop in yields of cash crops.

Communities prone to Effects

The notable regions of Ghana where galamsey is rife and very glaringly undertaken with opulence is the Western, Western North, Ashanti, Eastern and Central regions. To mention just a few, visibly scaring impact of galamsey on the environment can be seen at local communities like Wassa Dadieso, Wassa Akropong, Wassa Dompem,Wassa Dadwen,Wassa Simpa, Adamango Community,Bawdie Community, Ayamfure Community, Sabronum, Konongo and Atiwa Communities, Akwatia, Osino ,Duayaw Nkwanta, Sefwi Wiawso, Sefwi Bekwai, Tinga, Bole Bamboi, Ahwiaso, Bodi, Juaboso.

Social campaigns:

In recent years, there has been outcry and outpour of displeasure by CSOs, NGOs and citizens both prominent, and in social spaces for the government to halt galamsey operations. These are evident in media publications referenced below:

National Challenge In Combating Irresponsible Mining

The seemingly dull approach to fighting the irresponsible mining practices by relevant national agencies can be traced to the chain of politically exposed, community leaders, and corrupt duty bearers neck-deep involved in the galamsey activities, thereby sabotaging any coordinated National Action towards eliminating the irresponsible mining practice in totality.

We conclude by sounding the alarm that, the devasting implications of irresponsible mining affects existing generations and that yet to come. In other words, Ghana is facing an existential threat.

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