The Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG) has warned that illegal mining, commonly referred to as galamsey, could have long-lasting, transgenerational effects on the country’s food security if not urgently addressed.
The Association expressed deep concern over the escalating galamsey menace, which is devastating water bodies and the environment.
In a recent statement, PFAG revealed that over 1.2 million hectares of farmland have already been destroyed by illegal mining activities. The Association is issuing a strong warning to the government, stressing that if drastic measures are not taken to halt this phenomenon, the country is on the verge of a generational food crisis. This crisis could be triggered by the lack of arable land, the effects of climate change, and the rampant destruction of water bodies.
Growing Calls for Action
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), and the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) are the latest voices to join calls from Civil Society Organisations and individuals urging the government to take prompt action. This mounting pressure is demanding a swift response to address the galamsey menace.
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, also expressed deep concern about the current state of the River Pra, a once-pristine water body that has become heavily polluted due to galamsey activities. A few weeks ago, the Asantehene took decisive action by destooling several chiefs involved in galamsey activities, intending to set a deterrent for others.
The University Teachers Association (UTAG) has also called for an immediate and total ban on all forms of illegal mining, including general mining in forest reserves, farms, and rivers. In a strongly worded statement issued on September 9, 2024, UTAG warned that if the government does not impose a complete ban on mining in these areas by the end of the month, it will embark on a nationwide strike in collaboration with other labour unions.
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Organised Labour threatens strike if illegal mining is not banned by Sept. 30
