Prostitution, Drugs Rampant In Ghana's Mining Town

ACCRA, Ghana (PANA) - An upsurge of prostitution, hard drug culture and a general breakdown of social values has been reported in Tarkwa, a mining town in the Western Region.

A study conducted by CARE International, a non- governmental organisation, found that cocaine, whose use was previously believed to be reserved for the more affluent expatriate community, was now on the open market.

The drug is now patronised by prosperous illegal miners called 'galamsey' operators. The findings are in a document titled 'Boom and Dislocation' to be launched next week.

"Drug is a growing sub-culture of the 'galamsey' business in particular. The drugs are consumed with the belief that they would stimulate them to work harder."

The study said marijuana and other addictive drugs are on the increase among 'galamsey' operators.

The 'galamsey' business, which involves excessive physical exertion, is tasking and risky hence, the high drugs use.

The research mentioned two types of sex workers in the area: mobile and resident sex workers who are perpetuating sexually transmitted diseases.

The research found that mobile sex workers come mainly from Takoradi, Cape Coast, Accra, Kumasi, Obuasi other nearby townships.

This group, according to CARE, targets expatriate staff working with the mining companies and prosperous 'galamsey' operators.

"The resident sex workers service mostly local mineworkers with the large mines and the 'galamsey' community."

It says these sex workers had initially come or been lured to Tarkwa with the hope of trading or getting a decent job, but too soon lost hope and took to prostitution as a survival measure.

The objective of the study was to identify and publicise the social and environmental impacts of gold mining in Tarkwa and its surrounding villages.

It was also to support local communities in their quest to protect their rights and identify any flaws in the environmental impact statements, mining laws and guidelines on the management of mining environments and possibly advocate their review.

The research findings say it is believed that the growing incidence of HIV cases, in fact, the highest in the Western Region, was due to the influx of sex workers to the area.

Ghana ministry of health doctors said the screening of one 'galamsey' community produced 10 cases of syphilis and one HIV positive in one area alone.

Statistics from the District Medical office show that reported HIV cases have been on the rise since 1992, with 100 cases recorded in 1996.

The study said the 'galamsey' camps are marked by rampant violence, resulting sometimes in deaths.

It gave an example of a case where one victim was tied to a tree with several explosives tied around him and blasted off, because he could not produce a quantity of gold he was suspected to have hidden.

"In a related incident, another victim, accused of a similar crime was tied to a log and the legs forced across a railroad to be crushed by an on-coming train."

The study indicated that drug use is confirmed to be prevalent among prostitutes and some female labour force in the 'galamsey' camps.

"Some female labourers interviewed admitted that rape is also a common phenomenon in some of the camps in the forest reserves. Most of those who carry out these crimes are under the influence of drugs."