GALAMSEY CRISIS: HOW THE NDC HAS WATCHED GHANA’S LAND, WATER & FUTURE BURN WITH NO SERIOUS ACTION
Ghana is bleeding. Our forests are being razed. Our rivers, once the lifeblood of communities and agriculture, are now toxic channels. Our fertile lands are derelict patches of poisoned earth. This is not hyperbole; this is the actual state of illegal mining (galamsey) under the National Democratic Congress (NDC) since it assumed power. And the truth is stark: there has been no serious or effective attempt to stop the environmental devastation that is destroying Ghana’s natural heritage and jeopardising its future.
According to official figures, illegal mining has degraded 44 of Ghana’s 288 forest reserves and destroyed over 5,252 hectares of precious forest cover, an affront to our ecological wealth and sustainability. These forests once stabilized soil, supported biodiversity, and regulated our climate; today, they lie stripped, eroded, and scarred.
The water crisis is equally alarming. The Pra, Ankobra, Birim, Offin, and other major rivers which are sources of drinking water, irrigation and life have been contaminated by mercury, cyanide and other toxic substances used in galamsey. In many riparian communities, turbidity levels have soared well above safe standards, making water purification both difficult and costly. Experts warn that more than 60% of Ghana’s water bodies are now polluted, pushing the nation toward the dire possibility of importing potable water by 2030 if the trend continues unchecked.
Make no mistake: this is not a natural disaster. It is a man-made catastrophe driven by weak enforcement, regulatory gaps, and a lack of political will. Calls from credible bodies such as the Ghana Affiliate of the International Association for Impact Assessment have repeatedly labelled government actions as “inadequate,” noting that illegal mining continues to destroy forests, poison water bodies, and imperil livelihoods with impunity.
The human cost mirrors the environmental toll. Communities dependent on clean water and arable land face increased incidences of disease and displacement. Agricultural productivity, especially cocoa production has been deeply affected, further threatening Ghana’s economic resilience and food security.
While the NDC administration labels itself a steward of Ghana’s welfare, reality tells a different story: galamsey has flourished, unchecked and unchallenged, as our environment collapses and our future hangs in the balance. Ghana cannot afford silence, complacency, or half-measures, we need decisive, evidence-based enforcement, strengthened regulation, and accountability at every level of government. Our forests, our waters, our children’s future demand nothing less. The time for excuses is over; it is time for real leadership and unwavering action against galamsey.
By: Mr Blessing Mantey
