An artist in Ghana has transformed water from a polluted river into paint, illustrating the severe environmental damage inflicted by rampant illegal gold mining, locally termed “galamsey.” This illicit activity has escalated dramatically in the resource-rich West African nation.
Miners increasingly resort to mercury for gold extraction, leading to significant land degradation and river pollution. The charity WaterAid has termed this alarming trend as “ecocide.”
Artist Israel Derrick Apeti, known as Enil Art, remarked, “I could actually paint with the water. It was so bad.” Apeti, along with a friend, visited the Pra River, located about 200 km from Accra, to highlight the environmental crisis attributed to illegal mining activities.
The term “galamsey” refers to illegal mining operations occurring at numerous sites across Ghana, including regions traditionally known for cocoa farming as well as extensive gold deposits.
Ghana stands as the world’s sixth-largest gold exporter and the second-largest cocoa exporter.
Recently, demonstrators in Accra marched to demand governmental action against illegal mining. Police detained several protesters for allegedly holding an unauthorized gathering, but they were released amid growing public resentment over the arrests.
The campaign to end galamsey has gained traction, particularly among the youth, who have used social media hashtags such as #stopgalamseynow and #freethecitizens to amplify their calls for change.
Apeti expressed his commitment to the movement through his art, asking, “What is art for?” This innovative approach was inspired during his visit to the river, where he spontaneously decided to paint with the polluted water.
Local communities bemoaned the transformation of the river, once teeming with fish and crocodiles, into a discolored body of water.
Support for the anti-mining campaign has also emerged from Ghana’s music industry. Prominent artists, including Black Sherif, have used their platforms to raise awareness about the devastating effects of illegal mining during public performances.
The nature of illegal mining has evolved over the years. Originally, young men used simple tools such as picks and shovels. However, the influx of Chinese businessmen has transformed the industry into a more sophisticated operation, largely ignoring environmental impacts.
Serious concerns arise as local businessmen and politicians are suspected of engaging in the “mad gold rush” by converting cocoa farms into illegal mining sites.
According to reports, approximately 4,726 hectares of land have been devastated by illegal mining activities across several regions, including many forest reserves.
Experts emphasize that illegal small-scale mining has surged in recent years, wreaking havoc on valuable land and precious ecosystems. This ongoing crisis includes the extensive use of harmful chemicals like mercury and cyanide in the extraction process, leading to widespread water pollution.
Dr. George Manful, a former official from Ghana’s Environmental Protection Agency, highlighted the catastrophic long-term effects, noting that mercury contamination could persist in water for centuries.
WaterAid has called for urgent governmental intervention to cease the ongoing ecocide, warning that contaminated water sources could lead to Ghana becoming a water importer by 2030.
In light of the rising gold prices, illegal mining operations in Ghana have flourished. Syndicates are reported to smuggle gold out of the country, complicating international sales and further fueling local desperation as the nation grapples with an economic crisis.
Local farmers are feeling the impact of illegal mining, with crop irrigation becoming increasingly difficult due to water pollution. The agricultural community raises concerns over the potential long-term implications if efforts to prosecute those behind illegal mining are not escalated.
In response to mounting pressure, President Nana Akufo-Addo has ordered the deployment of naval units to curb illegal mining activities in Ghana’s waterways, although skepticism remains regarding the effectiveness of these measures.
