Beyond mining: Galamsey’s devastating toll on maternal and child health

Growing up, “galamsey” wasn’t a word that conjured images of environmental devastation.

It was a term whispered with a mix of admiration and concern, a nod to the hustle, the side gig that supplemented a main income, especially if you needed to pay for postgraduate education, build a home, or even support your family.

My home tutor, with a different day job at the time, would often tell me about his roaster of students besides me he had to tutor. For many, it was a desperate measure for survival. Today, galamsey has transformed into a widespread environmental and public health crisis that threatens Ghana’s social and economic fabric.

This article delves into the hidden costs of galamsey – illegal mining, exploring how this once-perceived “side gig” is now jeopardizing the health and well-being of our children and the future of our nation.

The Hidden Costs of Galamsey

Although the mining sector employs only 1% of the global workforce, it accounts for approximately 8% of fatal work-related accidents, with about 15,000 deaths annually. Beyond the immediate risks to workers, galamsey’s effects are far-reaching, extending to environmental destruction and the health of vulnerable populations. In Ghana, galamsey operations often occur in ecologically fragile areas, releasing harmful toxins such as mercury into rivers and streams.

Mercury poisoning, for instance, poses a severe risk to brain development in children and causes complications during pregnancy.

Additionally, large-scale deforestation and soil erosion from illegal mining reduce arable land, exacerbating food insecurity. In 2024, an alarming 351.4 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa faced food insecurity, severely impacting maternal and child nutrition and increasing vulnerability to diseases.

Health Implications for Maternal and Child Populations

Breathing polluted air early in life can have serious and long-lasting consequences for children’s health. Air pollution can lead to respiratory problems like pneumonia and asthma and increase the risk of allergies. In 2019, the average level of air pollution in Ghana was 11 times higher than recommended by the World Health Organization. Without action to improve air quality, the health and well-being of people in places like Accra will worsen.

This problem is even worse in communities where forests have been destroyed by illegal mining (galamsey). The dust and toxic fumes from mining operations make the air even more dangerous, especially for children and pregnant women. Exposure to polluted air can increase the risk of serious health issues, including stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, and pneumonia.

Mercury pollution adds another layer of danger for expectant mothers, leading to miscarriages, stillbirths, and premature births. Families displaced by galamsey-related environmental destruction often lose access to healthcare and education, perpetuating cycles of poverty and vulnerability.

Galamsey and Ghana’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The consequences of galamsey directly hinder Ghana’s progress towards achieving SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being). Thus, it jeopardizes the achievement of Targets 3.1 and 3.2, aiming to reduce maternal mortality and end preventable deaths of newborns and children under five.

Beyond SDG 3, galamsey has cascading effects across multiple SDGs. It undermines SDG 6 (clean water) by polluting water sources and exacerbating water scarcity. The environmental degradation caused by Galamsey also contributes to climate change, hindering progress on SDG 13 (climate action). Furthermore, it disrupts livelihoods and exacerbates poverty, impacting SDG 1 (no poverty) and SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth). Addressing galamsey is crucial for Ghana to achieve its sustainable development goals.

Urgent Call for Policy and Action

As a new government takes shape and mobilizes to address the looming crisis of galamsey which continues to impact our communities, women and children, a multi-pronged approach is needed to restore and enable healing for our people, land and the planet.

This also requires prioritizing the future of this country which is our children. including strengthening environmental regulations, promoting alternative livelihoods, and investing in place-based change.

To mitigate the impact of Galamsey on health and well-being, two key actions are necessary:

1. Strengthening Mining Regulations: To address the devastating impact of illegal mining, commonly known as “galamsey,” the Government of Ghana (GoG) must take decisive action to enforce existing mining regulations. This requires a comprehensive and collaborative approach. Firstly, an inclusive and transparent inquiry is crucial to assess the current state of mining activities across the country. This inquiry should investigate the extent of environmental damage, the loss of natural resources, and the adverse impacts on human health and livelihoods. Key stakeholders, including local communities, traditional authorities, civil society organizations, and industry experts, must be actively involved in this process. Secondly, the government must prioritize the rehabilitation of degraded lands, the protection of water bodies, and the provision of sustainable alternative livelihoods for individuals and communities engaged in illegal mining. By implementing a robust and inclusive strategy, Ghana can protect its natural resources, promote long-term environmental and economic stability, and ensure a better future for all its citizens.

2. Implementing Public Health Interventions: To mitigate the health crisis caused by galamsey, the Government of Ghana must prioritize a robust public health response. Firstly, a modern surveillance system is crucial. This system, leveraging innovative technologies, should monitor and track the long-term health impacts of environmental degradation caused by illicit mining. Early detection of health issues linked to exposure to mercury, cyanide, and other pollutants is paramount. Secondly, immediate measures must address urgent health needs. This includes:
3. Health Screenings: Regular screenings to identify prevalent conditions like respiratory illnesses and heavy metal poisoning in affected communities.
4. Community Education: Raising awareness about health risks and promoting safe practices through targeted campaigns and community engagement.
5. Targeted Healthcare Programs: Deploying mobile clinics and providing access to specialized treatment for vulnerable populations.
6. Strategic Partnerships: Finally, partnerships with local leaders, NGOs, and international organizations and initiatives such as the Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance Network funded by the Gates Foundation are essential to ensure the sustainability and inclusivity of these interventions.

Conclusion

The devastating toll of galamsey on maternal and child health is a call to action for all stakeholders. By prioritizing health and environmental justice, Ghana can safeguard the future of its vulnerable populations and make meaningful progress toward achieving sustainable development. Addressing the galamsey crisis is not just an environmental necessity but a moral imperative to protect the health and well-being of generations to come.

The author Sampson Kofi Adotey is a communications strategist specializing in global health, inclusive innovation and education.

He leads communications for the CHAMPS Program Office, addressing child health disparities in Africa and Southeast Asia.