By Edzorna Francis Mensah
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Ghana has raised concerns over the severe water pollution and environmental degradation caused by illegal mining, known locally as “galamsey.”
The agency highlights the devastating impact these activities have on both the environment and public health, with harmful chemicals like mercury and cyanide being used in water bodies and forests, contributing to serious health issues such as skin diseases, poisoning, kidney disease and respiratory problems.
The EPA has warned that the effects of illegal mining extend beyond the immediate mining communities, affecting all Ghanaians, regardless of their location. According to Mr. Godsway Lawson Daniels, Divisional Chairman of the Public Service Workers Union of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), the destruction of natural resources due to galamsey is unsustainable and poses serious risks to human health and the environment.
Daniels emphasized that miners involved in illegal activities often operate without safety gear, exposing themselves to dangerous conditions. Additionally, mining in ecologically sensitive areas like rainforests leads to deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and soil erosion, further impacting local communities’ livelihoods.
The EPA is concerned that illegal mining also undermines state authority, as powerful individuals often work with some officials to avoid enforcement of environmental laws against their activities-the weak regulatory system, compounded by corruption, exacerbates the problem, leading to environmental destruction and health hazards.
He however submitted that the Agency has been working to raise awareness about the importance of environmental protection and calls for stronger enforcement of laws and policies to mitigate the negative effects of illegal mining. The agency’s objectives include integrating environmental concerns into national development processes, ensuring the sustainable use of natural resources, and improving the country’s environmental policies to safeguard mankind.
