By Jeremiah Nutsugah
The Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG) has urged the government to ban illegal mining “galamsey” to prevent a generational food and nutrition crisis in the country.
In a press release signed by their president on September 10, 2024, the association expressed concern over the escalating galamsey menace, which is devastating water bodies and the environment.
The statement noted that this illegal activity, perpetuated by “wicked, callous, and greedy individuals,” threatens not only the environment’s sustainability but also farmers’ livelihoods and food nutrition security.
“Over 1.2 million hectares of farmland have been lost to illegal mining, and water bodies, including irrigation facilities, have been polluted, making sustainable production challenging”.
The association emphasized that illegal mining has destroyed the viability of the cocoa sector and food crop production for consumption, industry, and export. Illegal miners have coerced poor farmers into selling their land or used brute force to take over farmlands.
PFAG warned the President of Ghana to take drastic action, as the country faces a generational food crisis due to the unavailability of farmlands, climate change effects, and destruction of water bodies.
The association joins other groups in calling for an immediate and complete ban on illegal mining activities in Ghana.
Press release below:
