Ghana’s struggle against illegal gold mining—known locally as galamsey—has reached a boiling point, igniting fierce debate among politicians, faith leaders, environmentalists, and ordinary citizens. What began as an economic lifeline for some has spiraled into a national crisis, threatening the country’s environment, public health, and even its moral soul. Now, calls for a state of emergency echo from the highest pulpits and political offices, while warnings of potential bloodshed and social upheaval complicate the path forward.
The environmental devastation wrought by galamsey is both visible and deeply personal for millions. According to GBC Ghana Online, more than 960 families have lost their farmlands, with over 556 acres destroyed in the Central Region alone. The Western and Ashanti Regions have suffered extensive deforestation and contamination of major rivers like the Pra, Ankobra, and Birim. These rivers, once vital lifelines for communities, now run thick with toxic sludge—rendered undrinkable and unfit for farming or daily use. In the Western Region, experts estimate that it will cost over $250 million to reclaim lands and water bodies ravaged by illegal mining.
The health consequences are just as grim. A 2025 study cited by GBC Ghana Online found that exposure to chemicals used in galamsey, such as mercury and cyanide, is linked to decreased sperm count and motility in men, hormonal imbalances, and increased miscarriage rates in women. The crisis is so acute that some families, like those in Agona Kwanyako, now transport water from Accra due to the destruction of the Ayensu River and the shutdown of the Kwanyako Water Works Station. As Akwasi, a Kumasi resident, put it, “Our land is our life. Now we cannot farm, our children are sick, and the river we drank from all our lives is a poison.”
The economic costs are staggering. Illegal mining drains Ghana of more than $2.3 billion annually through lost revenue and gold smuggling, according to GBC Ghana Online. More than 100,000 acres of cocoa farms have been destroyed, threatening national food security and a crop that accounts for nearly 10% of Ghana’s exports. Water treatment costs have tripled, and some experts warn that at the current rate of contamination, Ghana may need to import fresh water by 2030. The destruction has also led to deadly clashes between security forces and armed illegal miners, highlighting the social instability bred by galamsey.
Yet, the issue is not simply one of law and order. Legal, small-scale mining—regulated under Ghana’s Minerals and Mining Act—can be a force for good, supporting livelihoods and contributing to the economy. The Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners (GNASSM) advocates for responsible practices and tax compliance. However, illegal galamsey operations evade taxes, deploy destructive methods, and often enjoy protection thanks to systemic corruption. According to a ResearchGate report, illegal miners have operated with impunity, shielded by public officials, politicians, and chiefs in exchange for private payments. The disappearance of over 500 seized excavators under a previous administration further eroded public trust.
Foreign involvement, particularly by Chinese nationals, has amplified the problem, providing capital and heavy machinery that enable large-scale environmental destruction. As reported by JoyNews, Ghana is now the largest importer of excavators in West Africa—outspending even Nigeria by more than double—a clear sign that the machinery is being funneled into illegal mining operations.
The moral and spiritual dimensions of the crisis have not gone unnoticed. On September 15, 2025, the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) issued a powerful statement, calling galamsey a “cancer in Ghana’s national soul” and urging President John Dramani Mahama to declare a state of emergency. “The hour is late. Delay is betrayal,” the GCBC warned, framing the crisis as an apocalyptic threat that violates biblical mandates for stewardship of the land. Their statement read, “As shepherds of the Church and moral custodians of our nation, we cannot be silent before a calamity that imperils both the integrity of God’s creation and the dignity of His people. … This is not a routine challenge to be managed with half-measures; it is a national emergency requiring decisive, extraordinary response.”
The GCBC’s call is rooted in scripture, citing verses such as Genesis 1:26-28, which grants humanity dominion over the earth—not as license for destruction, but as a call to responsible stewardship. Genesis 2:15 instructs, “work [the Garden of Eden] and take care of it,” emphasizing service and protection of creation. Leviticus 25:23-24, Psalm 24:1, and Numbers 35:33-34 all reinforce the idea that the land belongs to God and must not be polluted or permanently degraded. The Bishops’ statement aligns with Ghana’s national anthem, which calls on citizens to “resist oppressors’ rule with all our will and might for evermore.”
The political debate is deeply polarized. The main opposition party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has joined religious leaders in demanding an immediate state of emergency. “We are beyond the last resort. His Excellency Mr President, please you should immediately declare a state of emergency… in parts of the country that require it to save Ghanaians,” a spokesperson for the NPP urged. However, experts like Professor Michael Ayamga-Adongo of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warn that such a move could spark violence, given the widespread community dependence on galamsey. “A state of emergency could backfire and lead to a blood bath,” he cautioned, noting the scale of community involvement.
For many, galamsey is an economic necessity. Hundreds of thousands—perhaps millions—of Ghanaians depend on it for survival. “The water is a problem, but what we need is money. We have no jobs. This is all we have to feed our families,” explained Yaw, a young miner. The government has responded by focusing on geo-fencing and tracking excavators, planning reforms to regulate small- and medium-scale mining, and launching the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP). This initiative aims to provide legal concessions, training, and mercury-free processing facilities to empower local miners and transition them into the formal economy.
Yet, the battle is not confined to government offices or church pulpits. Grassroots movements like FixTheCountry are channeling public frustration into civic action, organizing vigils and marches to demand accountability and environmental justice. Their activism reflects a growing belief that the fight against galamsey is a civic duty that transcends politics and religion.
President John Dramani Mahama has echoed the call for reform, stating, “Artisanal miners are not enemies of the state, when properly trained and supported, they can be allies in development.” He has pledged that Ghana’s mineral wealth will no longer “enrich others while leaving our people in poverty.”
As the debate rages on, one thing is clear: the fight against galamsey is a defining moment for Ghana. It is a test of the nation’s ability to protect its environment, uphold its moral values, and create a sustainable future for all. The choices made now will echo for generations—and the clock is ticking.
