Galamsey fight: AERC calls repeal of executive instruments endangering forest reserves

The growing crisis of illegal mining, known as “galamsey,” continues to wreak havoc on Ghana’s environment, public health, and economy. Galamsey activities, driven by unregulated excavation and disregard for environmental regulations, are severely degrading Ghana’s natural resources.

As deforestation escalates and water bodies vital to millions of Ghanaians are destroyed, the government must take pragmatic and decisive steps to combat this menace.

The Alliance for Empowering Rural Communities (AERC) urgently calls on the government of Ghana, led by His Excellency Nana Addo Danquah Akuffo Addo, and Parliament to immediately repeal Executive Instrument 144 and Legislative Instrument 246 (2), which allows for development within forest reserves and take pragmatic steps to address the looming danger posed by the galamsey menace.

These legislative instruments pose a grave threat to Ghana’s globally significant biodiversity and undermine the country’s commitments to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 13 on climate action and other environmental targets.

A Threat to Conservation Efforts and Climate Action

In recent years, Ghana has made commendable progress in environmental conservation and climate change mitigation. As part of the country’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement, efforts to protect natural resources have been key in addressing climate change. However, the introduction of Executive Instrument 144 and Legislative Instrument 246 (2) declassifying forest reserves, including the Achimota Forest, represents a substantial setback to these gains.

AERC emphasizes that these legislative actions are in direct conflict with national and global conservation goals, threatening both the ecological integrity of the nation’s forest reserves and the livelihoods of rural communities. As Ghana battles the devastating effects of illegal mining, or galamsey, these forests play an essential role in mitigating environmental damage by safeguarding water sources, preventing deforestation, and maintaining biodiversity.

Illegal mining operations have already wreaked havoc on Ghana’s forests and water bodies. Water bodies, including major rivers such as the River Pra, Ankobra, and Birim, have been polluted by toxic chemicals,primarily mercury and cyanide, used in illegal gold mining processes. These water bodies, once vital sources of clean water for millions of Ghanaians, are now contaminated. The Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) has reported significant difficulties in treating water from polluted sources, particularly in the Central Region. For example, the GWCL’s treatment facilities along the River Pra are struggling, currently operating at only 25% capacity due to the extent of contamination, leaving entire communities with reduced access to safe drinking water.

The consequences of water pollution are deeply concerning for public health. Mercury used in artisanal mining contaminates rivers and bioaccumulates in fish, leading to toxic exposure for communities dependent on these water sources for food and drinking water. Health officials in affected regions have reported an alarming increase in respiratory illnesses, neurological disorders, and deformities in childrenexposed to mercury.

Moreover, cancer cases linked to contaminated water supplies are on the rise, further straining local healthcare systems. Mercury vapour inhalation, which miners are frequently exposed to, can cause severe health issues, including tremors, memory loss, and cognitive impairments. Prolonged exposure has far-reaching impacts, threatening both the health of mining communities and the overall productivity of Ghana’s workforce. The improper handling and disposal of cyanide, a toxic substance often used in gold extraction, also poses an acute health hazard. Cyanide contamination in water sources can cause respiratory distress, seizures, and death if consumed, further highlighting the public health risks associated with galamsey.

The environmental destruction caused by illegal mining is not just an ecological issue—it is an economic one. Sectors such as agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, which are essential to Ghana’s economy, areseverely impacted by deforestation, soil erosion, and water pollution. The loss of productive land due to soil erosion, caused by the removal of vegetation during mining activities, hampers the agricultural sector’s contribution to the economy.

Furthermore, Ghana is renowned for its high-quality cocoa, which has been a significant contributor to the country’s economy for decades. However, the rise of galamsey has posed a severe threat to cocoa farming in Ghana. Cocoa farming requires vast areas of arable land, but galamsey encroaches upon these lands, rendering them unsuitable for cocoa cultivation. Galamsey operators often excavate large pits and trenches leaving behind barren landscapes that cannot support cocoa trees. These acts not only reduce cocoa production but also threatens the livelihoods of countless cocoa farmers who depend on cocoa farming for their income.

Call to Action

AERC implores the government to take immediate action to reverse these detrimental legislative changes to combat the galamsey crisis and prevent further environmental and public health devastation. It is imperative that Ghana remains committed to its environmental obligations under both national policies and international agreements. The following actions are crucial:

1. Repeal Executive Instrument 144 and Legislative Instrument 246 (2). This will restore legal protections for Ghana’s forest reserves to prevent further development and degradation.

• Placing a ban on all mining activities in Ghana for a year to strengthen efforts to eliminate galamsey, which continues to pollute rivers and devastate ecosystems.

• Instituting a national campaign to rehabilitate degraded forests and restore polluted rivers is essential. This can include reforestation initiatives and the deployment of clean-up technologies to decontaminate water bodies affected by mercury and cyanide pollution.

• The government must prioritize the provision of healthcare and resources to communities suffering from the health impacts of contaminated water and air pollution. Immediate mercury testing and public health screenings should be conducted in heavily affectedareas.

• Strengthen environmental governance to enhance enforcement mechanisms to protect natural resources, ensuring that laws designed to safeguard forests and water bodies are adhered to.

• Promote Sustainable Livelihoods: To address the root causes of illegal mining, it is essential to create alternative livelihoods for those involved in galamsey. Government investment in training and employment opportunities for these individuals is key to reducing their dependence on illegal mining.

The AERC remains dedicated to the principles of sustainable development and the protection of Ghana’s natural environment. Through advocacy, education, and community mobilization, the organization continues to support rural communities and promote the conservation of natural resources.

The illegal mining menace is pushing Ghana toward a national crisis. The time to act is now. We call on the government to implement these measures and work with all relevant stakeholders to safeguard the environment and protect the health of millions of Ghanaians. We also call on all stakeholders including the media, religious bodies and other civil society organisations to join the fight against galamsey. The future of our forests, water bodies, and communities is at stake.

#SaveOurForestReserves campaign.

To these legislative changes, therefore, the AERC has responded with the launch of the the #SaveOurForestReserves campaign.

This endeavour seeks to mobilise policymakers, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and citizens of Ghana to speak out for the conservation of Ghana’s natural forests and protection of water bodies.

The campaign aims at putting pressure on the decision makers and make sure that the forest reserves and water bodies are protected for the present and generation to come. The AERC therefore urges other CSOs and concerned citizens to come on board and support the #SaveOurForestReserves campaign. In this way, we can all work towards a common goal of preserving what is left of our natural resources especially the forests of Ghana.