Award-winning Multimedia Group Limited journalist Erastus Asare Donkor, has highlighted the worsening state of illegal mining, known locally as “galamsey,” in Ghana.
Mr Asare, who has received several awards for his environmental reporting that has focused on illegal mining, reports that the canker is severely damaging the country's rivers and forest reserves and negatively impacting many communities that depend on these waterways for their livelihoods.
Speaking on the Joy Super Morning Show on Monday, August 12, the producer of the “Poisoned for Gold” documentary on Joy, explained, “Galamsey is not getting better, you can see it from all the angles across the country when you are travelling.” For example, at Osino, close to the main road, illegal mining is actively occurring without proper licensing from the Minerals Commission. Similarly, at Konongo on the Kumasi-Accra road, excavators are seen digging indiscriminately. In Wassa Dadieso, the town is now a galamsey hub, with toxic mining tailings containing heavy metals flowing along the main road and affecting nearby homes.”
Mr Donkor also noted that in Konongo Odumase, illegal mining under residential buildings has led to the collapse of homes and the death of two people.
He shared a recent experience where he led some diplomats to visit Ewusiejo, a community in the Western Region, heavily affected by illegal mining.
According to him, the river vital for local agriculture and daily activities, is highly contaminated, forcing residents to use aluminum sulfate to treat the polluted water, but this process is insufficient. Many suffer from skin rashes due to the chemical reaction, highlighting the severe health implications of the contamination and the chemicals they rely on.
Mr Donkor emphasised that settling particles does not make the water safe and that many residents remain unaware of the dangers.
He further described the dire state of forest reserves, which are increasingly being invaded by illegal miners. Even areas legally designated for mining are being exploited before official activities can commence.
He attributes this exploitation to a lack of enforcement, exacerbated by the fact that a general election is approaching.
Read also : We can’t stop galamsey; the youth have no other jobs – Chief tells Bawumia
Latest Stories
-
Transport operators in Ashanti Region hold firm on fares despite fuel price decline
9 mins -
NDC will not cancel NPP’s Beyond the Return initiative – Rex Omar
18 mins -
NSS boss attributes allowance delays to late form submissions by personnel
19 mins -
Bawumia pledges to serve all Ghanaians and support Methodist Church
23 mins -
Mahama and NDC are setting the pace for violence – E/R NPP says as they call for vigilance
47 mins -
Kasoa South records highest power outages in 2024
51 mins -
CHAN 2024: Tournament scheduled for February 2025
60 mins -
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs charged with racketeering, sex trafficking
1 hour -
Twists & Locs partners with Santé Initiative to empower cancer patients with ‘Wigs of Love’
2 hours -
NDC protest: Police denies shooting incident at EC office in Kumasi
2 hours -
NDC presents petition to Parliament
2 hours -
JICA and Embassy of Japan delegation visit Tema Interchange Phase II, Sora Technology and Transonica
2 hours -
Watch how police clashed with NDC ‘Enough Is Enough’ protestors in Kumasi
2 hours -
#Election 2024: Ho Central NDC Parliamentary Candidate stems campaign on job creation and enhancing education
2 hours -
Allow voters register to be audited if there’s nothing wrong- Edudzi Tamakloe
3 hours