Ghana is grappling with a severe environmental and public health crisis driven by rampant illegal mining, locally known as galamsey. This destructive practice is not only devastating the nation's natural resources but also leaving a persistent chemical footprint that threatens ecosystems and communities for generations. Various bodies, from law enforcement to civil society and labor unions, are sounding the alarm and demanding decisive action.

In a direct response to intelligence reports, the NAIMOS Task Force undertook a significant operation in the Cape Three Points Forest Reserve in the Western region. Covering approximately 50 kilometers, the robust foot patrol navigated thick shrubs and muddy terrain to flush out illegal miners. The operation led to the arrest of 28 young male Ghanaian locals who were actively engaged in illegal mining, which had caused significant devastation to portions of the forest. While some miners fled, the apprehended suspects were handed over to the Agona-Nkwanta District Police Station for prosecution. The Task Force destroyed several makeshift structures, immobilized an excavator, and seized numerous items including seven water pumping machines, sixteen shovels, one pickaxe, seventeen pieces of wrapped Indian hemp, seven torchlights, twelve mobile phones, three mini bottles of mercury, GH¢150 in cash, assorted malaria drugs, and sachets of packed whisky (Alomo Bitters). The NAIMOS Task Force affirmed its commitment to protecting Ghana’s natural resources and water bodies, cautioning all illegal miners to desist immediately as enforcement operations will continue.

Beyond immediate enforcement, the broader implications of galamsey are drawing urgent warnings from major organizations. The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has issued a stark warning about a potential nationwide water shortage if the government fails to halt illegal mining. Following a fact-finding mission to water treatment plants in the Central and Eastern Regions (Kwanyako, Brim, and Akyem), TUC Secretary-General Joshua Ansah described the situation as “deeply troubling,” noting that galamsey pollution has pushed some facilities to the brink of shutdown. Mr. Ansah called for President John Mahama to declare a state of emergency to confront the crisis, stating that the TUC would take “drastic decision” if no action is taken, emphasizing that “Galamsey must stop, and it must stop now.”

Echoing these concerns, civil society pressure group OccupyGhana has repeatedly raised alarms over the government’s inaction, warning of an impending “ecological and food security disaster.” In an open letter to President Mahama, OccupyGhana expressed frustration that despite years of advocacy and presidential commitments, “not a single concrete action” has been taken. Citing NASA satellite data, the group highlighted that Ghana loses an estimated 2,600 hectares of forest annually, equivalent to the city of Kumasi being wiped out every decade, which could lead to critical food insecurity. They also pointed to severe water pollution, with a 2021 KNUST study finding mercury levels in parts of the Bonsa River up to 60 times higher than EPA limits and turbidity readings far exceeding WHO safe levels. OccupyGhana reminded the President of his predecessor’s unfulfilled pledge to end galamsey, calling it a “betrayal of trust,” and warned of a looming public health emergency from mercury poisoning and increased flooding. The group concluded with an impassioned plea for immediate, sustained, and transparent intervention, stressing that “Galamsey is not merely an environmental issue; it is a national survival issue.”

The contaminant legacy of galamsey is particularly alarming due to its silent persistence and long-term impacts. Unregulated operations release a cocktail of pollutants into the air, water, and soil, creating a cycle of exposure, disease, and social instability:

• Sulfur Dioxide (SO₂) is generated from the combustion of diesel and crude oil in mining machinery. It forms sulfurous acid in the atmosphere, contributing to respiratory irritation, aggravated asthma, increased cardiovascular strain, and has been linked to congenital defects in offspring of exposed pregnant women.
• Carbon Monoxide (CO) is emitted from engines in poorly ventilated mining pits. It reduces oxygen delivery to tissues, leading to hypoxia. Chronic exposure is associated with low birth weight, small-for-gestational-age babies, and neurodevelopmental disorders like autism spectrum disorder.
• Nitrates (Ammonium Nitrate), from blasting, infiltrate water sources. Ingested nitrates convert to nitrites, which can form carcinogenic N-nitroso compounds. Prenatal exposure is linked to preterm birth, neural tube defects, and congenital heart anomalies, particularly in rural areas relying on untreated water.
• Siltation from excavated riverbeds chokes rivers, reducing water quality, blocking sunlight for aquatic ecosystems, causing fish kills, and increasing the risk of waterborne diseases like diarrhea and cholera.
• Soot (Particulate Matter) from open fires and crude combustion methods penetrates deep into the lungs, causing chronic bronchitis, asthma attacks, and coronary heart disease. Pregnant women exposed to soot face higher risks of preterm birth and low birth weight infants.
• Hydrocarbons, including PAHs, VOCs, methane, fuel oil, and grease, are released through spills and leaks. They damage DNA, increase cancer risk, impair fetal growth, and contribute to greenhouse gas buildup, contaminating groundwater and crops.
• Cyanide, used in gold leaching, flows into rivers from spills or poorly managed effluent. It inhibits cellular respiration, leading to acute poisoning, neurological symptoms, thyroid dysfunction, and in severe cases, death. Alarming reports indicate cyanide residues in food chains, such as yams and cassava.
• Mercury, central to amalgamation processes, enters aquatic systems and converts to methylmercury, a potent neurotoxin. It bioaccumulates in fish and, when ingested by humans, particularly pregnant women, crosses the placenta, damaging fetal brain development and causing neurological impairments in children. Mercury persists in sediments for years, posing long-term risks.
• Heavy Metals such as Lead, Arsenic, Cadmium, and Nickel, released from tailings, are permanent contaminants. Lead causes anemia, cognitive delays, and hypertension; arsenic leads to skin lesions, respiratory problems, and cancers; and cadmium affects kidney function and bone health. These non-biodegradable metals expose future generations through dust inhalation, crop uptake, and groundwater leaching.

The silent persistence of these contaminants creates an