A year after her detention for protesting illegal mining, activist Felicity Nelson vividly recalls the harsh conditions she faced in a detention center in Accra. Nelson was one of 53 individuals arrested during a demonstration calling for stronger action against illegal mining, known locally as “galamsey.” The protest, which garnered the support of youth activists, aimed to address the widespread environmental damage and illegal exploitation of Ghana’s mineral resources.
In an exclusive interview, Nelson described her 17-day ordeal, during which she was denied access to her asthma inhalers. “It was like being trapped in a historical slave dungeon — no light, no air, just holes in the ceiling for ventilation,” Nelson said, emphasizing the inhumane conditions of the cell. Despite these challenges, Nelson, along with her fellow detainees, is determined to continue their activism, advocating for stronger government action to tackle the illegal mining crisis.
Illegal mining has been a persistent issue in Ghana since the colonial era. While the practice was formally legalized in 1989 through a small-scale mining law, its negative effects have intensified in recent years due to economic instability and high unemployment. Now, illegal mining accounts for over a third of the country’s gold production, with over a million people involved in the informal sector. The government has estimated that illegal mining costs the country $2 billion annually in lost tax revenue.
The environmental repercussions of galamsey are significant. Illegal mining activities have ravaged the countryside, leaving behind vast pits, contaminated rivers, and destroyed farmlands, including key cocoa-growing regions. Experts have expressed deep concern over the loss of cocoa farms, noting that the rush for quick profits from gold mining has overshadowed the future of Ghana’s agricultural sector. “The focus is on immediate profits, not on long-term sustainability,” a researcher explained.
One of the most alarming consequences of illegal mining is the contamination of Ghana’s water sources. Many of the country’s rivers, such as the Offin River, have turned into toxic waste channels due to soil runoff, mercury, and detergent from mining activities. The Ghana Water Company has reported a 75% reduction in its ability to provide clean water, and experts have raised concerns that the country may soon face a severe water crisis.
In addition to the environmental toll, illegal mining has social implications. The influx of young workers into the mining industry has led to increased school absenteeism, with many children leaving education to work in the mines. Tragically, two students in a central mining region died in March after falling into an abandoned mining pit. Meanwhile, the illegal mining sector has attracted various actors, including sex workers and miners from across West Africa, with foreign nationals playing a prominent role. In December, a foreign national was convicted for illegal mining after being deported for similar offenses in the past.
Despite the growing crisis, the government of President Nana Akufo-Addo, who has long been seen as a champion of human rights and democracy, has been criticized for its failure to decisively tackle the issue. Activists accuse the administration of prioritizing public relations over meaningful action, and local communities have expressed frustration with the lack of progress in curbing galamsey activities. In recent years, more than 2,000 mining licenses have been issued, some of which are believed to have connections to members of the ruling party.
Local residents in mining towns have voiced concerns over the dominance of foreign operations, particularly those run by foreign nationals, who have established businesses such as gold trading stores and machinery shops. These operations, often protected by private security forces, have fueled illegal mining activities, further exacerbating the crisis.
In response to public outcry, the government has taken some steps to address illegal mining, including the destruction of mining machinery and the introduction of harsher penalties for offenders. However, many activists, including Nelson, argue that these efforts are insufficient, and that more comprehensive reforms are needed to address both the environmental and social impacts of galamsey.
“We are in this for the long haul,” Nelson said, reaffirming her commitment to challenging the status quo. In a bid to take action, civil society groups have filed a lawsuit against the government over a 2022 law that permits mining in forest reserves, some of which are of global environmental significance. While a national strike to repeal the law was postponed after assurances from President Akufo-Addo, activists remain steadfast in their pursuit of a solution.
The fight against illegal mining in Ghana is far from over, with many seeing it as a pivotal issue for the country’s future. With growing concerns over the destruction of natural resources, loss of livelihoods, and the health risks posed by polluted water, the outcome of this struggle will likely have far-reaching consequences for Ghana’s development.
