The Youth Alliance and Action for Change (YAAC) has called on the government of Ghana to impose an immediate ban on all forms of mining activities, both legal and illegal, to combat the environmental devastation caused by the ongoing mining operations across the country.
In a press release issued on September 20, 2024, and signed by its Convener, Dr Eunice Yorgri, YAAC highlighted the severe impact of illegal mining, commonly known as “galamsey,” on the country’s rivers, farmlands, and public health.
YAAC expressed deep concern over the escalating environmental crisis, stating that the situation has reached alarming levels, with rivers such as the Pra, Ankobra, and Birim heavily polluted by mercury, cyanide, and other toxic chemicals from illegal mining operations.
"Illegal mining has poisoned our rivers and water bodies. Once-pristine rivers such as the Pra, Ankobra, and Birim have been turned into muddy cesspools of chemicals, with dangerous levels of mercury, cyanide, and other toxic substances contaminating the water.
"These rivers are not only vital sources of drinking water for millions of Ghanaians but also crucial to our agriculture and fishing industries, which sustain livelihoods across the country," the release stated.
YAAC also expressed concern over the extensive damage to farmlands caused by mining as they lamented, “Our lands have been left desolate, and our farms, which are supposed to feed us, have become dry and barren grounds, incapable of sustaining crops and feeding the masses.”
The release described how vast areas of agricultural land have been destroyed, leading to food insecurity in rural areas and exacerbating climate change through deforestation.
The group further noted that the galamsey menace has taken a great toll on public health, as rural populations are forced to deal with polluted water sources, increasing waterborne diseases.
YAAC added that many communities are experiencing “untold hardships” due to poor crop yields, dwindling incomes, and health risks associated with contaminated water.
In addition to illegal mining, YAAC called for greater scrutiny of legal mining operations, asserting that both legal and illegal mining are contributing to the depletion of the country’s natural resources and the displacement of local communities.
The release challenged the assumption that legal mining is without fault, urging the government to assess the environmental impact of “so-called legal mining activities.”
YAAC is advocating for an immediate moratorium on all mining activities to allow for a reassessment of the environmental and social impact of the mining sector.
The organization argued, “There is the need for an immediate ban on all forms of mining activities, both legal and illegal, as we, as a country, take stock of the impact of the activities on our lands, rivers, and health.”
The group believes halting mining activities will provide an opportunity to regenerate the environment and consider whether mining should continue and if so, under what conditions.
“This ban will afford us the time to regenerate our lands and our waters and reconsider whether to resume mining activities and if so, on what terms.”
YAAC called for stricter regulations, environmental reclamation efforts, and the development of alternative livelihoods, such as sustainable agriculture and eco-tourism, to provide economic opportunities without harming the environment.
YAAC also appealed to the Ghanaian people to stand together in demanding the end of illegal mining and supporting efforts to restore the environment.
"Let us remember that the land is not just ours, but it belongs to future generations. We must act now to protect it," the statement concluded.
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