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
-
AI to help win the war against content piracy
2 mins -
Galamsey is a silent killer and must be stopped – Ghana Institution of Geoscientists
13 mins -
Entrepreneur inspires Muslim youth through ‘Made by Society’ initiative
15 mins -
Five language communities boost digitisation skills in 3-day workshop
19 mins -
I used to pay my workers with my wife’s salary – Leslie Addo Listowell
20 mins -
Zipline, GHS reduce maternal mortality in Ashanti region by 56.4% – Study
25 mins -
First-ever guidance to curb antibiotic pollution published
36 mins -
Galamsey: Political parties shouldn’t play politics with our lives – Catholic Bishops Conference
45 mins -
Anti-LGBTQ Bill: I’ll engage Parliament and speak up if elected Commonwealth Secretary-General – Shirley Botchwey
46 mins -
NPP confirms Abdul-Kabiru as Parliamentary Candidate for Walewale
52 mins -
Efua Ghartey elected as first female GBA President
59 mins -
Delta Air Lines appoints Mary Gbobaniyi as Manager Sales – West Africa
1 hour -
Jane Opoku-Agyemang will make history as Ghana’s first female Vice President -Mahama
1 hour -
GCB Bank crowned CIMG Marketing-Oriented Bank 2023
1 hour -
I became a taxi driver after I was sacked from NET 2 TV – Addo Listowell
1 hour