Illegal mining, commonly referred to as galamsey, continues to wreak havoc on Ghana’s environment, with operators openly boasting about the destruction they cause.
We’ll Continue To Destroy The Lands And Forests To Make Money, The Gov’t Can’t Do Anything — Galamsey Operator
In a recent statement, a galamsey operator described how vast areas of land have already been devastated and revealed plans to continue exploiting forested regions.
“We’re getting the money, all this land here, we have scattered it. It’s remaining only the forest, it won’t take time, we’re going to destroy that one too. The government won’t do anything,” the operator said, indicating the scale of the environmental damage and the perceived impunity with which illegal miners operate.
Observers note that illegal mining activities have led to severe soil erosion, deforestation, and contamination of water bodies across several regions in Ghana.
Farmers and local residents often bear the brunt of these activities, losing fertile farmland and access to clean water. Despite government crackdowns and public awareness campaigns, some operators continue their work undeterred, citing a lack of accountability.
