Legal practitioner and public interest advocate Eric Adjei has urgently called for a united, non-partisan national approach to tackle illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey. He warned that this menace is rapidly becoming a "pandemic" that severely threatens Ghana's vital natural resources.
Speaking at the Ghana–UK Policy Summit, Mr. Adjei expressed deep concern about the extensive environmental destruction caused by galamsey. He stressed that addressing this critical problem must rise above partisan politics to achieve lasting solutions. The impact of illegal mining extends beyond environmental degradation, affecting public health, food security, agriculture, and the livelihoods of millions of Ghanaians.
This issue fits into Ghana's broader economic narrative, where the exploitation of natural resources often clashes with environmental sustainability. Over the years, illegal mining activities have caused widespread damage to water bodies, forest reserves, and agricultural lands across numerous mining communities. Major rivers, including the Pra, Ankobra, and Birim, have suffered severe pollution, raising significant concerns about access to safe drinking water and increasing the cost of water treatment for the state.
Mr. Adjei maintained that efforts to combat this menace would be far more effective if all key stakeholders collaborated. This includes the government, traditional authorities, civil society organisations, security agencies, political parties, and local communities. He believes a coordinated and sustained response is essential, rather than allowing the issue to become entangled in political disputes.
Successive governments have introduced various measures to combat illegal mining, but concerns persist over enforcement and the continued destruction of the environment. Mr. Adjei's comments reinforce calls for a long-term national strategy. Such a strategy must be capable of surviving changes in political administration. It must also ensure that the protection of Ghana’s natural resources takes precedence over short-term economic interests.
The Ghana–UK Policy Summit provides a crucial platform for policy dialogue on issues affecting Ghana’s development. The discussion on galamsey at the summit highlighted the continuing concern over the country's environmental degradation. This ongoing destruction poses significant risks to Ghana's economic future, particularly its agricultural sector and water resources. The economic cost of rehabilitating these damaged areas could run into billions of GHS, placing a heavy burden on public finances. Protecting these resources is vital for Ghana's long-term prosperity and stability.