Millions of people in Ghana face the dangerous consequences of illegal gold mining. The practice, locally known as ‘galamsey’, has caused widespread environmental damage, especially in rural areas.
Despite national outcry, illegal mining continues, polluting rivers with toxic chemicals and undermining Ghana’s agricultural potential and public health. Both locals and foreigners are involved in the galamsey business.
President Nana Akufo-Addo promised to end “galamsey” when he took office in 2017. However, despite several government initiatives, enforcement remained weak. Activists in affected communities are calling for immediate action.
A group of illegal gold miners photographed working in Kibi, Ghana in 2017: Cristina Aldehuela/AFP/Getty Images
Impact felt by pregnant women
Ghanaian forensic pathologist and professor Paul Poku Sampene Osei advocates for a complete ban on all forms of small-scale mining. He told Ghanaian media that research by his team shows that the damage caused by illegal mining is “only getting worse.”
In the Bibiani Anwiaso Bekwai area, an illegal mining hub in western Ghana, his team detected the presence of heavy metals such as cyanide, arsenic and mercury in the placentas of pregnant women, which caused birth defects in their babies.
This finding supports other published studies on the link between illegal mining and birth defects.
Erastus Asare Donkor, an investigative environmental journalist in Ghana, told DW that almost all major rivers in the country are highly polluted and polluted.
Data from the Ghana Water Resources Board records water turbidity levels, or the presence of particles in the water, of between 500 Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU) and 14,000 NTU. Water turbidity measures how clear or cloudy the water is. High turbidity means cloudy or cloudy with a lot of particles. Recommended levels for drinking water should not exceed 5 NTU.
Looking at Ghana’s polluted rivers, Donkor said, “they have huge impacts on livelihoods, climate, health and agriculture, which in turn impacts poverty levels across the galamsey belt and rural areas.” pointed out.
What’s behind Africa’s multi-billion dollar illegal mining trade?
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Who are the illegal miners?
Donkor, who has reported extensively on Galamsey in Ghana, said government task forces set up over the years to combat illegal mining have proven ineffective, mainly because those in power are involved. He told DW that it was for the sake of it.
The Ghanaian journalist explained that he had witnessed “politically exposed persons and government officials” engaging in mining activities within the forest reserve. When military personnel are sent to these locations, they are often directed by government authorities and are unable to perform their duties.
“The involvement of political actors, government officials and influential people is the main reason why this cannot be stopped,” Donkor said.
Illegal mining is widespread in South Africa, and foreigners, politicians and powerful people are also promoting it, Enoch Lundy Akins, an analyst at the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), told DW.
Eikins said high-ranking individuals are providing the funding by providing the heavy equipment used in some areas.
“Of course, there may be local residents who have seen the failure of governments and policies to crack down on these people, and they may also want to take on this issue themselves and do it. The main causes are “people with big interests and influence in society,” he said.
Eikins believes the only way to stop this practice is to address it at the top level. “It should start with those who are in government and have influence, and once that whip is broken, the public will know that government means business and will pay attention to every step that is taken. I guess.”
Illegal gold mining in Mozambique
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Ghana has cracked down on illegal gold mining in the past. In 2022, a Chinese national, Eng “Aisha” Huang, was found guilty for her role in this field, but many believe more still needs to be done.
African-wide problems
In South Africa, illegal small-scale gold and diamond miners, or “zama zamas,” frequently occupy both closed and active mines. According to the government, this practice is taking a significant toll on the economy. An estimated R70 billion ($4 million, €3.6 million) in gold alone is lost each year, resulting in huge revenue losses for both the government and the mining sector.
The South African government also noted that illegal mining is negatively impacting the safety and health of the communities in which Zama Zama operates.
Meanwhile, an Interpol report on illegal gold mining in Central Africa says the miners themselves are at the end of the chain. They are often vulnerable people who sacrifice their safety in exchange for the slim chance of a golden ticket out of poverty. According to the report, half of Africa’s artisanal miners are women, and a further 10% are children.
At the top of the chain are some major dealers, organized crime groups, high-ranking political and economic officials, as well as non-state armed groups in conflict zones such as the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Women photographed with a group of diamond miners in Zimbabwe in 2009 Image: AP
billions of dollars were smuggled
A report released in May by a Swiss development non-governmental organization found that billions of dollars worth of gold is smuggled out of Africa every year, with much of it being sent around the world through Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It became clear that
According to a report by Swissaid, Dubai was an international hub for Africa’s gold trade. It also said that between 321 and 474 tonnes of African gold produced through artisanal and small-scale mining and worth between $24 billion and $35 billion go undeclared each year.
The NGO says gold smuggling in Africa is set to “more than double between 2012 and 2022”. In 2022, “66.5% (405 tonnes) of gold imported into the UAE from Africa was smuggled from African countries.”
The emirate is home to gold refineries and thousands of precious metals and gemstone traders.
Swissaid’s report is based on data collected in 54 African countries from 2012 to 2022 and cross-referenced with official gold production, import and export data.
Editor: Benita van Eysen
