Ghana is grappling with severe environmental challenges linked to illegal small-scale mining, as activists express concern over President John Mahama's commitment to address the issue. Following the contamination of rivers, which has hindered water supply in parts of the country, protests erupted in Accra, demanding action against the growing pollution.
Activist Oliver Barker Vormawor highlighted the lack of a clear strategy from Mahama's administration to combat the escalating environmental crisis. The mining practices, particularly known as 'galamsey', have been exacerbated by soaring gold prices, leading to increased illegal operations that pollute water sources with toxic chemicals like mercury.
According to the Water Resources Commission, over 60 percent of Ghana's water bodies were already polluted by 2017, and the situation has worsened. The Cocoa Board reported a loss of 2 percent of the cocoa cultivation area due to mining activities, further threatening the livelihoods of farmers.
Despite Mahama's promises to prioritize environmental protection and ban mining in forest reserves, activists remain skeptical. They demand the repeal of a controversial law that permits mining concessions in biodiversity hotspots, which they believe has contributed to deforestation and environmental degradation.
Following the election of Mahama, who previously served from 2012 to 2016, hopes for a stronger response to illegal mining are mixed. Activists call for urgent measures, including the repeal of recent mining licenses and a declaration of a state of emergency to safeguard the environment and public health.