Ghana's Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has expressed concerns over the devastating impact of galamsey activities on the country's forest reserves and water bodies. He warned that if galamsey is not brought under control, Ghana could lose its forest reserves, including the Atewa Forest. Afenyo-Markin made these remarks during a meeting with the Christian Council of Ghana to discuss issues of national concern.
Afenyo-Markin cited warnings from organised labour and religious bodies about the scale of illegal mining, which he said should not be taken lightly. He referenced the Secretary General of Organised Labour's announcement on May Day last year, stating that galamsey activity had gotten out of hand. The Minority Leader emphasised that organised labour is a non-political institution that conducts its own research.
The Minority Leader criticised the structure of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), arguing that it does not clearly separate legally mined gold from gold produced through illegal mining. This, he claimed, encourages galamsey activities. Afenyo-Markin stated that GoldBod's current structure allows aggregators to bring in gold without proper regulation.
Afenyo-Markin drew on his experience as a former chairman of the Ghana Water Company Limited board to highlight the damage to water resources. He warned that galamsey has gotten out of hand and could lead to the loss of Ghana's water and land. The Minority Leader noted that the report from Ghana Water indicates that it is becoming more expensive to treat water due to contamination.
The Atewa Forest Reserve, a major watershed and biodiversity hotspot, is under threat from illegal mining activities. In September 2026, the Forestry Commission arrested 12 people suspected of illegal mining in the reserve. Afenyo-Markin warned that if care is not taken, the Atewa Forest will not be there for future generations.
The meeting with the Christian Council is part of the Minority's engagement with key stakeholders on issues critical to national development, including illegal mining and protection of the country's natural resources. The Minority Caucus is working to address the issue of galamsey and its impact on Ghana's environment.
The issue of galamsey has sparked concerns among various stakeholders, including organised labour and religious bodies. The government is expected to take action to address the issue and prevent further destruction of Ghana's forest reserves and water bodies.
Key points
- Galamsey activities threaten Ghana's forest reserves, including Atewa Forest.
- The structure of GoldBod encourages galamsey activities.
- Illegal mining contaminates water bodies, making treatment more expensive.
