Ghana to Enter Nationwide Lockdown as Civil Unrest Grows Over Illegal Mining Crisis
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Ghana is set to experience a nationwide lockdown on Monday, September 30, as civil servants, and labor unions intensify their campaign against illegal mining, commonly known as Galamsey. This illegal practice has led to severe environmental destruction, particularly contaminating the country’s water resources, and degrading agricultural land. As a result, public pressure is mounting on the government to take urgent and decisive action to address the crisis.
Environmental Impact and Water Contamination
The Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) has sounded the alarm over the alarming extent of water pollution caused by illegal mining. According to the GWCL, approximately 60% of Ghana’s major water bodies have been contaminated by the unregulated activities of Galamsey miners. Water treatment facilities are struggling to cope with this contamination, as turbidity levels have skyrocketed to an average of 14,000 Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU), far exceeding the facilities’ operational capacity of 2,000 NTU. This has led to severe water shortages across the country, jeopardizing both public health and water security.
Calls for Government Action and a State of Emergency
In response to the growing crisis, a coalition of civil society organizations, labor unions, religious leaders, and media representatives has escalated their demands for government intervention. The coalition is urging the government to declare a state of emergency in the worst-affected mining areas and to revoke the licenses of all mining operations that continue to contribute to environmental degradation.
Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey, the convener of the Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey, emphasized the severity of the situation, stating, “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.” His sentiments were echoed by Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, President of the Ghana Journalists Association, who called for the immediate deployment of military forces to clear illegal miners from Ghana’s water bodies and for the cancellation of mining permits in biodiversity-rich areas.
Widespread Destruction of Natural Resources
The impact of illegal mining extends beyond water contamination. Galamsey has ravaged large swathes of farmland, particularly in cocoa-producing regions, which are vital to Ghana’s agricultural exports. Additionally, at least 34 forest reserves have been severely damaged due to mining activities, further exacerbating the environmental toll on the country.
Looking Ahead
As Ghana braces for the impending lockdown, the government faces increasing pressure to address the illegal mining crisis. The nation’s civil society is demanding comprehensive measures to restore its water systems, protect its forests, and preserve its agricultural productivity. The world will be watching to see how Ghana’s leadership responds to this pressing issue, which threatens the country’s environmental sustainability and economic future.
Sources:
- Ghana Water Company Limited
- Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey
- Ghana Journalists Association
