Galamsey: Counting the costs

Illegal small-scale mining, or galamsey as it is locally known, has become one of the most pressing challenges facing Ghana today.

Initially viewed as an economic opportunity for the unemployed youth, it has spiraled into an uncontrolled activity, wreaking havoc across the country.

While its practitioners may view it as a path to survival, the true costs of galamsey are staggering, threatening the very fabric of the nation.

The economic, environmental, health, and social consequences have reached alarming proportions, and the nation continues to pay dearly for the short-term gains of a few.

Economic Cost: An Unsustainable Enterprise

Ghana has long been renowned as a key player in the global gold industry. Yet, the rise of galamsey has severely undermined the formal mining sector. 

According to estimates, the illegal mining sector now produces as much as 30% of the nation’s total gold output, robbing the government of millions of dollars in lost revenue each year. The unregulated nature of galamsey means that much of the gold is smuggled out of the country, evading taxes and export duties. This loss of revenue has wider implications, reducing the government's ability to fund vital national programs in health, education, and infrastructure.

Beyond the direct financial losses, the damage to arable land has crippled agricultural productivity in many areas. Fertile farmlands, once the backbone of local economies, are now barren wastelands, filled with gaping pits left by reckless miners. Crops fail, farmers lose their livelihoods, and rural economies stagnate. The cost to food security is becoming increasingly dire, as galamsey destroys land that could have fed future generations.

Environmental Destruction: A Blighted Landscape

The environmental devastation caused by galamsey is perhaps its most visible and enduring legacy. Forests have been decimated, rivers poisoned with mercury, and the land scarred beyond recognition. Ghana’s once lush forests, especially in the Western and Ashanti regions, have been cleared at an alarming rate to make way for mining activities. The loss of these vital ecosystems not only accelerates climate change but also destroys biodiversity, driving many plant and animal species to the brink of extinction.

Water bodies, once sources of clean drinking water and vital to agriculture, have been contaminated with chemicals used in the extraction process. Rivers such as the Pra and the Offin, which supply drinking water to millions, are now heavily polluted, their once clear waters turned brown with silt and toxins. Mercury, which is used to extract gold from ore, poses a significant risk to aquatic life and human health. This contamination, if left unchecked, could leave parts of the country water-scarce, requiring costly investments in water treatment facilities that strain public resources.

Health Impacts: Silent Killers

The health consequences of galamsey are equally devastating. Mercury poisoning is a silent yet potent killer, affecting both the miners and the communities living downstream from mining sites. Exposure to mercury can lead to severe neurological and developmental disorders, particularly in children, whose growth and cognitive abilities are stunted. Long-term exposure can result in kidney damage, respiratory issues, and even death.

Beyond mercury poisoning, the open pits left behind by mining activities serve as breeding grounds for mosquitoes, leading to a rise in malaria cases in mining areas. The miners themselves often work without proper safety equipment, putting their lives at risk. Cave-ins, drowning, and exposure to harmful chemicals are daily dangers faced by these individuals, but they also inadvertently expose the wider community to long-term health risks.

Social Consequences: Erosion of Communities

The social fabric of mining communities has been severely disrupted by galamsey. Many young men, drawn by the promise of quick money, abandon their farms and families for the dangerous life of illegal mining. This mass exodus leaves women and the elderly to fend for themselves, disrupting traditional agricultural systems and increasing poverty. The influx of cash from illegal mining has also led to rising crime, drug abuse, and prostitution in these areas, further eroding the social stability of communities.

Children, instead of attending school, are often found working alongside adults in the mines, compromising their education and future prospects.

This perpetuates the cycle of poverty and illegal activity, as the next generation grows up without the skills needed to escape the lure of galamsey.

Conclusion: The Need for Urgent Action

It is clear that the costs of galamsey far outweigh the short-term benefits it provides to a few individuals.

The nation is paying dearly in lost revenue, environmental degradation, public health crises, and social breakdown. Unless swift and decisive action is taken, the long-term consequences will be irreversible, leaving future generations to bear the brunt of today’s inaction.

The solution requires a multi-faceted approach. Strengthening law enforcement to clamp down on illegal mining activities, restoring devastated ecosystems, and providing alternative livelihoods for those involved in galamsey must be prioritized.

Public education campaigns to raise awareness about the dangers of illegal mining, combined with stricter penalties for offenders, could help reduce the prevalence of this destructive activity.

Above all, it is essential for all stakeholders—government, civil society, and the mining sector—to work together to save the nation from the crippling effects of galamsey.

We must act now, before the damage becomes too great to repair