Galamsey, the illegal small-scale mining prevalent in Ghana, has posed a significant threat to the nation’s environment and livelihoods.
While it has long impacted various water bodies, its destructive reach has now extended to the country’s coastal areas, particularly in Adwoakrom, a suburb of Shama in the Western Region.
The Pra River, once a lifeline for residents of Shama-Adwoakrom, has been severely compromised due to the proliferation of galamsey activities in the Central Region and other parts of the country.
The river’s purity has been compromised by pollutants from illegal mining operations, resulting in muddy waters and a decline in aquatic life.
This environmental degradation has had a devastating impact on the local fishing community.
The pollution of the sea with poisonous chemicals from galamsey has led to the death of fish and other marine organisms, destroying the primary source of income for fishermen in the area.
John Quayson, a senior fisherman and opinion leader known as “Manoma,” has accused four key government officials of being behind the ongoing galamsey crisis.
According to Quayson, President Nana Akufo-Addo, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Inspector General of Police George Akuffo Dampare, and Chief of Army Staff Major General Bismarck Kwasi Onwona are responsible for the government’s failure to address the issue effectively.
Quayson has called on these officials to prove their innocence by taking decisive action to eradicate galamsey and protect Ghana’s water bodies.
Nana Ennu Bassaw, Chief Fisherman of Shama, has echoed these concerns, urging the government to take immediate steps to halt galamsey activities.
Fishermen in the area are struggling to make a living due to the decline in fish populations and the challenges they face in accessing premix fuel.
Residents of Shama and Adwoakrom have joined calls for government intervention, with many supporting Professor Samuel Adei’s proposal to declare a national emergency on galamsey.
The widespread environmental damage caused by illegal mining has prompted growing concern among various sectors of society, including labor unions like UTAG.
