Ghana Braces For Nationwide Lockdown Amid Escalating Illegal Mining Crisis

Ghana is on the verge of a nationwide lockdown, scheduled for September 30, as civil servants and labour unions intensify their campaign against illegal mining, known locally as Galamsey.

The devastating environmental impact of these unregulated operations has sparked urgent calls for government intervention, including declaring a state of emergency in affected areas and canceling mining licenses.

The severity of the situation is highlighted by recent reports from the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL), revealing severe water shortages due to contaminated key water sources.

A staggering 60% of the country’s major water bodies have been polluted, overwhelming water treatment systems with turbidity levels reaching 14,000 NTU, far exceeding their 2,000 NTU capacity.

Convener of the Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey, Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey,  emphasised the urgency, said that , “When you go to war and poison the enemy’s water, it’s considered a war crime. But here, people are poisoning their own water, and the leaders are failing to act. This is a crisis, and the president must act now.”

President of the Ghana Journalists Association, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour,  echoed these concerns, urging the government to deploy the military to affected areas and cancel all mining permits in protected biodiversity zones.

The environmental damage is widespread, with contaminated water bodies, devastated farmlands, particularly in cocoa-producing regions, and the destruction of at least 34 forest reserves.

WaterAid Ghana Country Director, Ewurabena Yanyi-Akofur,  warned, “Ghana’s water supply – the lifeblood of our country – is in crisis because of this practice…

The recent news of a 75% reduction in clean water supply to Cape Coast, Elmina and surrounding communities is a wake-up call.” ¹

As the lockdown approaches, the government faces mounting pressure from a coalition of civil society organisations, labor unions, media outlets, and religious leaders to take decisive action.

The nation awaits the government’s response to the escalating crisis, hoping for swift action to halt environmental degradation and ensure water security and agricultural productivity.

Boluwatife Enome

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