Illegal gold mining in Ghana is causing environmental destruction, polluting rivers and threatening public health, with some warning the situation may soon become irreversible.
Mark Wilberforce and Favour Nunoo report for BBC.
In short:
- Illegal mining, known locally as "galamsey", is devastating forests, cocoa farms and major rivers across Ghana, leading to water contamination with mercury and cyanide.
- While the government has taken legal action against some miners, many believe powerful business and political figures are fueling the problem.
- Artists and musicians are using their platforms to protest, but government efforts to end the illegal operations remain limited due to political concerns.
Key quote:
“We are slowly poisoning ourselves.”
— Dr. George Manful, former senior official in Ghana’s Environmental Protection Agency
Why this matters:
Illegal mining is poisoning water sources and destroying Ghana's vital cocoa industry. Mercury contamination can persist for centuries, threatening both ecosystems and communities that rely on the polluted rivers for farming and drinking water.
Related: Zimbabwe's illegal gold mining wreaks environmental havoc
