Galamsey menace: Causes, effects and solutions

The high incidence of "galamsey" or illegal mining in recent times, have been on several discussions and heated debates for some time now and has perplexed the minds of the general public in Ghana. Each day various analysts of various dispositions are found expressing their views on this disturbing menace in newspapers, television, radio, internet and magazines.

Each year, illegal mining strips some 28 billion tons of material from the earth. This is more than what is removed by the natural erosion of all the earth's rivers. Worldwide, mining generates an estimated 2.7 billion tons of processing waste each year. Mining (galamsey) could also cause more damaging deforestation than bad farming practices in certain parts of the country, Ghana.

In a quest to know more, I have visited some mining sites at Nkaseim, Kenyasi, Wuramumuso, Mehame, and Banda, all in the Brong-Ahafo region to be specific and so many areas across the country to witness the devastating nature of galamsey to the community. Extensive studies conducted on the galamsey phenomenon estimate that half of those employed in galamsey operations in Ghana, are the youth, women and children representing one of the highest in the world as well as our able-bodied men.

Mining has been poorly regulated in the country even in the remote areas. While government subsidize mineral production, few enact or enforce strict environmental regulations for mining operations. As a result, not only are mining activities more environmentally destructive than need be, but prices of minerals do not include their full environment cost. Today's low mineral prices reflect only the immediate economics of extraction and distribution. They fail to conduct the full costs of eroded land, demand or polluted rivers and displacement of people unlucky enough to live on top of mineral deposits. Virgin land are destroyed without giving the kowtow to the future generations.

It is in the light of this rampant nature of the menace and the growing concern of the general public that I humbly appeal to you for a space in your esteemed newspaper to air my views on the causes and effects of these galamsey acts and suggest ways which could be taken to check the occurrence of these devious acts.

The factors that combine to trigger someone involve in this illegal mining are easy to identify. One major cause of this devilish act is the burning desire for material things. It is always the ambition of most young men and women to get rich quickly in order to obtain whatever is fashionable. Such people would want to dress gorgeously, own mansions ride the latest cars, have access to modern sets of furniture and become millionaires at a point. Devoid of the milk of human-kindness, it is not surprising to find these people attacking the defenceless "Virgin lands".

The lack of employment opportunities in this country is a contributory factor to this situation. The absence of job facilities in our towns, cities and villages has compelled our able-bodied young men and women to join some of the foreigners (not to mention of the Chinese). It is very disheartening to find university graduates, qualified trained nurses and midwives, professional laboratory scientists, etc. making frantic efforts to search for jobs that do not exist. Most heart-breaking is that the few lucky ones who find jobs are not well paid.

Each blessed day, in the name of economic reforms and structural adjustment programs, people are thrown out of jobs. Those who finds themselves in this unfortunate situation become frustrated and are unable to sustain themselves. They need to earn a living and have access to necessities of life. Thoughts of survival compel these men and women to consider galamsey as a lucrative venture that is worth exploiting.

One major cause of this menace in the country is our ailing economy, which is incapable of supporting the skilled worker. Inflation is high, and the prices of goods are simply unaffordable. It is very difficult for workers who are poorly paid and do not enjoy incentives to make ends meet. They do not enjoy free or low cost medical care, accommodation, water and electricity and this makes it extremely difficult for them to perform their social responsibilities. They are unable to provide three square meals a day for their children, let alone provide them their necessities and education. Most disheartening is that they live in empty rooms. Their desire to acquire the comforts of life remains a dream. For these parents to live a Huggermugger to disgrace or failure, they are haunted by thoughts of involving in galamsey which could serve them greener pastures.

In addition, the political status quo in our country does not encourage professionals to stay and work permanently with their skills and competencies acquired through their education and training permanently. There have been so many volatilities, and whenever there is change in government, it is our professionals who suffer prejudicially.

The adverse and horrendous effects of galamsey are quite obvious. We do not need a seer to sooth say that our country is in danger of collapsing, if the country's fertile land and resources are misappropriated through galamsey practices. It is crystal clear evident that putting square pegs in round holes would lead to mismanagement and total breakdown of our fragile economy. If the country continues to leave her natural resources to foreigners, this will intensively cast a slur on the nation's image.

Effects of galamsey on education

The effects of galamsey on education are as numerous as factors that engender it.

To break the ice, the aftermath of this mining is a hostile and disorderly environment, which is incapable of promoting sound academic work.

Eventually, brilliant and gifted students who could have blossomed into scholars of repute to take charge of the affairs of the country, end up underground (pits) searching for gold as destitute.

Also, galamsey in school going children and the youth, if unchecked, grows to destroy the moral fiber of our society, since the youth constitute the soul and blood of the nation.

The idea of acquiring money within a simple means has been the motivation behind the children engaging in the illegal mining activities in the mining communities. Most of the young people in such communities do not value the significance of education; hence, choosing galamsey over education. A report by Daily Guide on May 4, 2015 with the headline "Pupils Abandon School for Galamsey" reflected that, indeed galamsey has become the biggest factor to hinder the children from enjoying their right to education. It was revealed in the report that, many children of school going age have abandoned classrooms and are now into full scale illegal mining activities, in view of the cash benefits that come with these activities, despite the associated risks.

Moreover, the enrolment figures in most basic schools in the district Daily Guide observed were sharply declining as pupils had put on hold their plans to pursue formal education to chase quick money (Read the story here: http://www.dailyguideghana.com/pupils-abandon-school-for-galamsey). These children, ignore the negative impact of this illegal mining activity and rather concentrate on how and ways to engage in this activity to search for gold. Most of them also imitate their siblings and other elderly people who are also seen ignoring school to do galamsey.

On the other hand, the existence of the illegal mining has gotten to the level where even candidates who are about writing an exam that can guarantee them entrance to the secondary school abandon the exams for galamsey. According to rawgist.com, four candidates writing the 2015 Basic Education Certificate Examinations (BECE) at the Mensonso D/A Junior High School (JHS) in the Adansi South District of the Ashanti Region have abandoned their examinations to engage in illegal Mining activities popularly called galamsey. It was estimated that, out of 253 who registered for the examination, 248 candidates were present as the four male students were said to have abandoned school to join their colleagues at the galamsey pits. (http://rawgist.com/2015/06/16/candidates-abandon-bece-for-galamsey-activities).

One can analyse that, most of these young children have not yet understood the significance of education; hence resulting in low attendance of school and low participation in educational activities in the mining communities.

Effects of galamsey on health

I wish in a nutshell to state that health is an indispensable asset for human of life and development. In observing the important contributions health makes to the nation, no society can simply afford to deny any section of its people access to health.

The practice of galamsey activities in the country involves their crude and wasteful methods provide one of the stiffest challenges to public health. It involves water use methods and alluvial mining techniques that cause devastating pollution of rivers, streams and lakes. Toxic chemicals such as mercury that have long term health implications on communities for generations are released into these water bodies. The use of these heavy metals to pollute surface and underground water has severe health implications that would not manifest immediately but in the near future. Mercury dispensed through the activities of illegal miners in the form of mercury vapor and the pollution of surface and underground water are highly toxic to humans. According to the Ghana Health Service, mercury, which is a heavy metal and one of the chemicals used by illegal miners in their activities, had a dire effect on the health of humans, as it could cause the breakdown of the central nervous system.

Galamsey activities expose Ghanaians through drinking and inhaling of gaseous mercury, which is absorbed into the blood. Once in the circulatory system, it can pass through the blood-brain barrier and accumulate in the brain, damaging the central nervous system. Also, the consumers of pipe-borne water may be consuming small amounts of mercury and unknown to the public, bits of it would accumulate and give negative effects in the not-too-distant future. Aside those who drink treated water, millions of Ghanaians live along the banks of these river bodies and fetch the raw water, which is heavily contaminated with chemicals such as mercury and arsenic, for domestic use. For most people, mercury use is the only means of extracting gold. While many are aware of the effects of these poisonous substances, the immediate economic needs that can be satisfied through its use outweigh the risk.

Effects of galamsey on the environment

The environment is the home of all living and non-living creatures. The biophysical environment is the biotic and abiotic surrounding of an organism or population, and consequently includes the factors that have an influence in their survival, development and evolution.

This environment encompasses the interaction of all living species, climate, weather, and natural resources that affect human survival and economic activity.



People living in these artisanal environments faces climatic change due to the nature of the work, bad weather conditions and the almighty degradation of the natural resources that disturb human survival and pecuniary activities. The public cry and fear for this menace is the destructive nature of the environment which if unattended can lead to a desert country in the near future to emanate.

There is no qualm that galamsey activities have caused a great harm to our environment, this is because most of the minerals are found in rivers, as a result, the illegal mining companies often resort to slating of rivers and their surroundings to enable them access to the targeted gold or minerals. This is done without caring about the consequences and dangers this may have on trees, birds, animals, and even individuals in the various communities.

Deforestation, is a major part of the damages galamsey causes to the environment. It involves the clearing of the forest leading to cutting down of trees, to enable them accomplish their operation, of extracting gold. These illegal pit workers also do not put in place any measures that will safeguard them from taking risk. With the fact that the illegal sappers are mostly unskilful, they also use unprotected tools and equipment making them a big threat to the nation.

I would endeavour to put forward the following measures to curb the high incidence of this act in our country. To control this disturbing situation, the government should, as a matter of urgency establish more jobs and improve the service conditions of workers. This artisanal incidence cannot be looked when the factors that influence it is not tackled. The causes are the main problems and it should be well patterned.

Also, strenuous efforts should be made by the government to revive the country’s ailing economy and make living conditions better to ensure sanity in our nation. If the economy is improved, parents will be in a better place to provide all the basic needs of their children and give them access to quality education.

Lest I forget, the government should ensure that the stringent laws governing our natural resources must be set to motion. I fervently appeal to the government to pass a law to deter some irresponsible and greedy people whose primal desire is to sacrifice the country’s natural resources for self-satisfaction. Further steps should be taken to ensure the security recruits made to protect lands and the other resources.

Moreover, religious institutions are called upon to nurture their children to strive against this art. As a matter of urgency, there should be social and religious mobilization and sensitization drives in all cities, towns and villages throughout the country to explain to their members the need to stay away from galamsey.

Once again, our political and traditional leaders should hold their tongues and refrain from making flippant remarks to the public. They aimed at being innocent from these artisanal acts but are the backbone of the canker. Which people are responsible for giving lands for people to operate on? Save us now or never.

It is my keen hope that the suggestions that have been given would be carefully considered to eliminate this unpleasant situation in Ghana.