iWatch Africa criticises govt’s fight against galamsey, calls for immediate action

Non-governmental media and policy organisation iWatch Africa has expressed deep concern over the Ghanaian government’s failure to effectively combat illegal mining, also known as galamsey, despite significant financial investments.

In a press statement, iWatch Africa highlighted the worsening impact of galamsey on the environment and the livelihoods of Ghanaians. The organisation criticised the government, particularly President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, for spending over GH¢300 million in the fight against illegal mining without tangible results.

“Despite the millions of Ghana cedis spent by the government, the adverse effects of galamsey persist and are worsening. The government’s failure to protect our environment is a betrayal of public trust,” the statement read.

iWatch Africa noted that the effects of galamsey continue to devastate Ghana’s natural resources, particularly its water bodies and agricultural lands. It furthered that the Ghana Water Company’s production efforts in the Western and Central regions have been severely impacted, with a 60% and 30% reduction in water production, respectively, due to pollution from illegal mining.

“In total, 50% of treated water is being lost due to pollution and silting from galamsey operations, severely impacting the supply of clean water across the country.”

Additionally, the group emphasised the impact of galamsey on cocoa production, a key export commodity that contributes $533 million (10% of Ghana’s GDP), adding that illegal mining activities have led to deforestation, soil contamination, and the destruction of cocoa farmlands, resulting in lower yields and diminished bean quality.

This has negatively affected Ghana’s cocoa exports and the livelihoods of farmers, according to them.

iWatch Africa also pointed to the serious health consequences linked to environmental degradation from galamsey, citing forensic pathologist Prof. Paul Sampene Ossei’s report on rising health issues such as birth defects, kidney diseases, cancers, and developmental disorders caused by pollution from illegal mining activities.

“The contamination of water bodies and the general environment poses long-term risks to public health, with significant consequences for healthcare systems and communities,” the organisation stated.

In light of the escalating crisis, iWatch Africa called on the government to take immediate action, urging President Akufo-Addo to issue a directive to ban all illegal mining activities in affected communities. They also demanded intensified regulatory enforcement by security agencies and the prosecution of offenders without delay.

The organisation further called for long-term solutions to restore the affected communities, stating, “Government must prioritise immediate relief and long-term economic recovery for communities devastated by illegal mining” and “employ community-based initiatives, technological solutions, and international cooperation to curb illegal mining and promote sustainable development.”

The statement concluded with a stern warning that failure to act swiftly will have “irreversible consequences” for the environment, the livelihoods of affected populations, and Ghana’s overall progress. “The time to act is now,” iWatch Africa stressed.