Ghana's gold risks being labeled 'blood gold' – Joe Jackson

Financial expert, Joe Jackson, has raised concerns about the potential blacklisting of Ghanaian gold resource as well as other cash crops for exports.

Jackson argued on TV3's "The Key Points" on September 13, 2025, that the government is not tackling illegal mining, locally known as 'galamsey,' with the necessary urgency.

He explained that if the international community perceives Ghana's gold as being sourced unsustainably, it could label it as "blood gold," and it could significantly hurt the nation's economy.

“If the rest of the world decides that we are selling gold that is not sustainable, we could be blacklisted. Gold board, which is supposed to be the game changer could disappear simply because we have not tackled galamsey; and we are now blacklisted as selling unsustainable or, blood gold”, he said.

“In the same way... It will not be only gold. Very soon, we may not be able to export certain food items. You will not be able to export cocoa. If you can't export it, because, the heavy metals from illegal mining are leaking into the water bodies, it will greatly impact our economy and erode all successes, the government has chalked in other sectors,” he added.

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He said that while the public's call for a state of emergency may be a legal term, what they truly desire is a decisive and urgent response from the government to the illegal mining crisis.

Jackson warned that the lack of urgency threatens to undermine Ghana's economy on multiple fronts.

He cited the Ghana Water Limited’s (GWL) request for a 280% tariff increase, which the company partly blames on the high cost of treating water polluted by galamsey.

Jackson, a Tema resident, pointed to the impact on daily life, stating that water is only available three days a week in his area even during the rainy season.

“I live in Tema. Tema used to be the best place for utilities. Now, if you get three days' water running through your pipes in a week, then its looking good for us. This is in the rainy season. I dare to think of what will happen in the dry season; and you find similar experiences all over. That's the situation for water,” he decried.

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On another score, Jackson also warned that heavy metals from illegal mining operations are leaking into water bodies, which could affect the quality of agricultural exports like cocoa, potentially jeopardising Ghana's place in the global market.

He noted that in some areas, farmers are resorting to using sachet water to mix fertilizers because river water has become too polluted.

His reaction follows, the seeming u-turn by the NDC government to declare a state of emergency on galamsey after several assurances in the past.

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