Experts Warn of Galamsey’s Threat to Bee Populations at KNUST Event

Veterinary experts at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) have raised alarms over the devastating impact of illegal mining (Galamsey) on bee populations, warning that deforestation and water pollution are putting their survival at risk.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Bee Health Club on March 15, Dr. William Tasiameh, Head of KNUST’s School of Veterinary Medicine, highlighted how Galamsey is destroying bee habitats. “Bees need trees, and if the environment is being destroyed, as seen in the case of Galamsey, it becomes a serious issue,” he stated.

Dr. Tasiameh also warned that contaminated water sources, a direct consequence of illegal mining, are affecting the quality of honey. “Bees drink from these water bodies that are heavily polluted through illegal mining operations… It affects the livelihoods and survival of these bees,” he explained.

Bee farmer Donyina Effah Kwasi Opoku called on the government to introduce policies that would make beekeeping attractive to young people through training and resource support. He stressed that apiculture has the potential to become a profitable industry if properly developed.

Adding to the discussion, Prof. Benjamin Emikpe, Dean of KNUST’s School of Veterinary Medicine, advocated for integrating beekeeping into educational curricula to ensure the long-term sustainability of honey production. “For sustainable honey production in Ghana, it is important to engage the youth early,” he noted.

The Bee Health Club, launched with support from the UK’s Agency for Plant and Animal Health, aims to promote bee welfare and sustainable honey production while addressing environmental challenges threatening the industry.