Ghana in Focus Special: illegal small scale mining (Galamsey) Part II - A genocide and Ecocide right before our very eyes

Polluted and contaminated river asa result of illegal mining (Galamsey)

Ghana is facing an unprecedented water crisis that threatens to turn into a full-blown catastrophe by 2030. This week on Ghana in Focus, we delve deep into the escalating crisis caused by illegal small-scale mining, locally known as Galamsey. Despite various government interventions, a staggering three-quarters of Ghana's water sources are now contaminated with toxic chemicals such as arsenic, lead, mercury, and cyanide.

The Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) currently struggles to purify water, with only 40% of the nation's water being treatable, down from 70% just two years ago. If this menace is not addressed, Ghana could face a dire water shortage in the near future.

The alarming reality is that certain Ghanaian authorities and Chinese nationals are complicit in this environmental disaster. Major rivers like the Pra, Offin, and Ankobra have been tragically contaminated, posing severe health risks to those who consume the toxic water. This crisis demands immediate collective action from all Ghanaians to combat the menace of Galamsey and safeguard our environment and food security. Stronger, more effective interventions are needed to protect our nation's future and prevent an ecological catastrophe.

Illegal small-scale mining, or Galamsey, has wreaked havoc on Ghana's water bodies. Despite efforts by the president to curb this menace, it has only escalated. Currently, three-quarters of Ghana's water sources are poisoned with toxic chemicals, and the GWCL finds it increasingly challenging to purify drinking water. If the situation remains unaddressed, Ghana could face a future with no potable water by 2030. This environmental and public health crisis highlights the failure of current interventions and underscores the urgent need for more effective solutions.

The role of Chinese nationals and complicit Ghanaian authorities in the illegal mining activities cannot be ignored. This chapter explores how Galamsey has led to the contamination of major rivers, leaving the Volta River as one of the few unpolluted sources. The health risks posed by drinking and bathing in toxic water are severe, with many people in mining areas developing cancer and other diseases. Immediate action is required, and Ghanaians must rise up against this eco-terrorism to prevent an impending water crisis.

The podcast also highlights the severe health consequences of consuming contaminated water. Babies are being born with severe deformities, and people are developing respiratory issues and cancer due to the toxic chemicals in the water. This situation is a form of terrorism, as poisoning water supplies can have deadly consequences. Ghanaians must take this crisis seriously and demand immediate action to protect their health and future.

The environmental impact of Galamsey is also devastating. Forests have been depleted, and farms have been ransacked to make way for illegal mining activities. The resulting ecocide has far-reaching consequences for Ghana's environment and food security. This chapter calls for collective action to address this crisis and prevent further damage to the country's natural resources.

The key areas most affected by illegal mining are the Western, Asante, Central, Eastern, and Bono regions of Ghana. The water bodies in these regions are severely polluted, and people are likely consuming toxic water. This health emergency demands immediate attention, and Ghanaians must hold their leaders accountable for their role in this crisis.

The podcast emphasizes that the stakes are high, and this crisis should be treated as a state of emergency. Water is essential for life, and poisoning water supplies is a form of terrorism. Ghanaians must wake up and take action now to prevent further damage and protect their future.

In conclusion, the water crisis in Ghana is a ticking time bomb that demands immediate and collective action. Illegal small-scale mining has contaminated the country's water sources, posing severe health and environmental risks. Ghanaians must rise up against this eco-terrorism and demand stronger interventions to safeguard their water, health, and future.