As we join the global community in commemorating World Food Day on October 16th, we reflect on this year’s theme: "Right to foods for a better life and a better future”.

The right to safe food is a fundamental human right recognized globally. This right encompasses not just the availability of food but also its accessibility, adequacy and safety. In Ghana, the right to safe and nutritious food is under significant threat due to various factors, key among which is widespread illegal mining activities, commonly known as galamsey.

Galamsey, or illegal small-scale gold mining in Ghana, presents a complex challenge due to its significant economic, environmental, social, and food safety impacts. While it provides crucial income for many, especially in rural areas, it also leads to substantial economic losses for the country by the evading of taxes and royalties.

Environmentally, galamsey causes severe water pollution and deforestation, which harm drinking water sources, aquatic life, and biodiversity. Additionally, the contamination of water and soil from mining activities threatens food safety by affecting the quality and safety of crops and livestock.

The Impact of Galamsey on Food Safety

Galamsey operations have far-reaching consequences on food safety, primarily through the contamination of water sources and soil. The illegal miners often use harmful chemicals like mercury, cyanide, arsenic, and lead to extract gold and others.

These heavy metals are dumped into rivers, streams, and farmlands, seeping into the ecosystem and disrupting it. The contamination of water sources is particularly alarming as it serves as a direct pathway for these harmful chemicals to enter the food chain. A study revealed alarming levels of mercury contamination in the Pra River basin in Ghana, a direct result of illegal mining activities.

The study found mercury levels in some fish species exceeding World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, posing a serious risk to human health through food consumption. Crops irrigated with this polluted water absorb heavy metals, while livestock grazing on contaminated land may ingest toxic substances.

Contaminated soil also absorbs these harmful substances, which are then taken up by plants through their root systems. Some research has reported elevated levels of heavy metals in soils surrounding mining sites in Ghana. Consuming such contaminated food poses severe health risks, including kidney damage, gastrointestinal issues, neurological disorders, and an increased risk of cancers.

According to research, long-term consumption of even low levels of these toxins can lead to chronic health issues, particularly for vulnerable populations like children and pregnant women. Therefore, this issue not only threatens food security but is also a looming public health emergency.

The Effects on Farmers and Food Producers

The devastating impact of galamsey extends beyond health concerns. Farmers in regions affected by illegal mining face declining crop yields and poor soil quality due to pollution. Many have reported reduced harvests of staple crops like cocoa, maize, and vegetables, and lower-quality produce which directly affect food availability and income.

Several farmers have been forced to abandon their lands which were the source of their livelihoods, as the land becomes infertile and unsuitable for cultivation due to galamsey. Livestock farmers are not spared either, as animals exposed to contaminated feed and water are at risk of disease, decreased productivity and mortality. The economic implications are far-reaching. For example, cocoa farmers in some key areas known for both cocoa production and illegal mining, have reported significant declines in their harvests.

A Call to Action

A lot remains unknown about the full impact of galamsey on Ghana’s food systems. While it is clear that illegal mining activities degrade fertile agricultural land and contaminate freshwater sources, the extent of these effects on food security and nutrition is still being studied along with the long-term health impacts of consuming such contaminated food. More research is needed to comprehensively assess these impacts and to develop effective strategies to mitigate them.

Whilst government and other stakeholders get to work to resolve these issues, individuals can take steps to safeguard their food and minimize health risks. Firstly, whenever possible, it is important to source food from areas known to have safe, uncontaminated soil and water. This is a key preventive measure that can significantly reduce the intake of heavy metals.

Also whenever possible, use water from safe, uncontaminated sources for cooking and washing food. If unsure about the water quality, consider using treated water you can vouch for. Affected communities can work together with the relevant stakeholders to explore local water treatment technologies such as phytoremediation, a cost-effective environmental restoration technology, which uses plants like water hyacinth to absorb and accumulate heavy metals to help eliminate heavy metals from potable water.

Secondly, thoroughly washing fruits and vegetables can help remove some surface contaminants, including dirt and certain pesticides, but this may generally not be that effective in removing all heavy metals. Heavy metals, such as lead, mercury, and cadmium, can be absorbed into the plant tissues through contaminated soil and water, making them difficult to eliminate through washing alone.

One way round this is to peel fruits and vegetables (with skins) to reduce exposure, as heavy metals are often more concentrated in the outer layers of foods.

Certain cooking methods can also help minimize exposure to heavy metals and protect health. For example, boiling food and then discarding the water can significantly reduce the concentration of heavy metals, especially in leafy greens and root vegetables. However, this method has a downside: some nutrients from the food will leach into the cooking water that is discarded. While there are no simple solutions to this issue, every step taken to reduce exposure counts.

The bottom line

The urgency of addressing galamsey’s impact on food safety cannot be overstated. The ongoing issue of galamsey in Ghana, highlights the critical need for action to protect the right to safe and nutritious food. The harmful effects on water resources, food safety, agricultural livelihoods, and communities have far-reaching consequences for the country's food systems and the well-being of its citizens. By promoting sustainable agricultural practices, providing alternative livelihoods, and enforcing stringent regulations on galamsey, Ghana can safeguard its food security and build a sustainable future for generations to come.

As we celebrate World Food Day against the backdrop of the Galamsey menace, stakeholders, government, regulatory bodies, communities, and individuals must come together to address this crisis and ensure that everyone has access to safe, nutritious, and sustainable food. Protecting our right to food is not just a necessity but a responsibility that we owe to present and future generations. The time for action is now! Our health, our environment, and our future depend on it.

References

Mantey, J., Nyarko, K. B., Owusu-Nimo, F., Awua, K. A., Bempah, C. K., Amankwah, R., ... & Akatu, W. E. (2020). "Mercury contamination of soil and water media from different illegal artisanal small-scale gold mining operations (galamsey)." Heliyon, 6(6), e04312. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04312

Mensah, A.K., Mahiri, I.O., Owusu, O., Mireku, O.D., Wireko, I., & Kissi, E.A. (2015). Environmental Impacts of Mining: A Study of Mining Communities in Ghana.

Scutarașu, E. C., & Trincă, L. C. (2023). Heavy Metals in Foods and Beverages: Global Situation, Health Risks and Reduction Methods. Foods (Basel, Switzerland), 12(18), 3340. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12183340Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Ghana. (2023). "Annual Report on Food Safety and Security."

Written by Dr. Laurene Boateng (PhD, RD) and Pearl Kudexa (MSc, RD)

Laurene Boateng (PhD, RD) is a Registered Dietitian and Senior Lecturer in the Department of Dietetics, University of Ghana. She is the founder and editor-in-chief of www.fullproofnutrition.com , a website committed to providing reliable, evidence-based, and practical healthy eating advice.

Pearl Kudexa (MSc, RD) is a Registered Dietitian and contributing writer for www.fullproofnutrition.com

Consulting a registered dietitian empowers you to take control of your health and make informed dietary choices that support your well-being.