Galamsey: Ghana’s Gold Rush at a Cost

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October 6, 2026

By Marie Maa Serwaa Kufuor
In towns and villages across Ghana, a quiet problem is growing beneath our
feet. Galamsey, the illegal and unregulated mining of gold, is slowly damaging
our rivers, forests, and communities in ways many people don’t realise. Recent
reports show that galamsey operations have invaded 44 out of 288 forest
reserves.
Galamsey might seem like a quick way to make money, but its long-term
consequences are severe. Illegal mining sites often use harmful chemicals,
such as mercury, which is washed into rivers such as the Pra, Ankobra, and
Offin. This pollution makes the water unsafe for drinking, fishing, and farming,
affecting thousands of families who depend on these rivers every day. In some
areas, scientists have found mercury levels up to 10 times above safe levels,
which can cause long-term health problems.
Galamsey also destroys huge portions of farmland. Each time the soil is dug up
and trees are cut, a piece of Ghana’s future, its fertile land, clear air, and
natural wealth is lost. Farmers in parts of the Western and Ashanti regions
report losing fertile soil they relied on for cocoa, plantain, and vegetables. As a
result, food production drops, and communities lose essential sources of
income.
The social impact is equally worrying. Some young people leave school to work
on mining sites, risking their education. Communities near galamsey pits face
safety dangers from collapsed mines, open pits filled with polluted water, and
poor air quality.
But the situation is not hopeless. Across Ghana, groups are working to restore
damaged land, replant trees, and promote safe, legal mining practices.
Community awareness programmes are teaching people about the dangers of
mercury and how to protect water sources. By reporting illegal mining
activities and supporting environmental protection efforts, every Ghanaian can
help safeguard our future.
Galamsey is more than an environmental issue; it is a warning. If we protect
our land and rivers today, we protect the health, economy, and future of Ghana
for generations to come.