Wepia Awal Addo, President of the Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG), has renewed the Association’s appeal for a ban on illegal mining activities.
According to Addo, discussions with peasant farmers in the Ellembelle District of the Western region revealed that rice farming projects, including a collaborative initiative with India, have been suspended due to river pollution caused by galamsey.
He explained that the pollution of the Ankobra River has also affected other communities in the region, which can no longer use the river water for their vegetable farms, causing significant disruption to their livelihoods.
“You go to the Shama district, the last time I was there, they indicated how they fetched water [from the Pra] for domestic and irrigation purposes but as I speak all those water bodies are polluted. These communities are along these communities do not have a lot of land because part of their land has been taken for oil and gas activities”.
“The land that they have left for agricultural activities is limited. If they have this limited land and it is also being destroyed by illegal mining, then I am afraid very soon agricultural activities along the coast are going to be seriously affected”.
Wepia Awal Addo
Addo appealed to the government to take immediate action to protect the livelihoods of people in these communities, rather than allowing them to be further compromised.
He warned that failure to address the issue would make food production extremely challenging, with far-reaching and devastating consequences for the country’s socio-economic well-being.
Addo advocated for a comprehensive ban on small-scale mining, citing the lack of clear distinction between illegal and small-scale mining operations on the ground.
He stressed the urgent need for a collaborative effort among all stakeholders to identify and establish ‘no-go zones’ for mining activities, thereby protecting the country’s vital water sources and precious forest reserves from irreparable harm.
Addo cautioned that until such measures are taken, the fight against illegal mining will remain futile, posing a significant threat to the public interest.
Addo Urges Farmers To Join Fight Against Galamsey
Wepia Awal Addo encouraged peasant farmers across the country to actively support and participate in initiatives aimed at combating illegal mining.
Addo highlighted the devastating impact of illegal mining on peasant farmers, revealing that many have had their farms forcibly seized and taken over by galamsey operators.
He emphasized that the government has a critical responsibility to safeguard farmlands designated for agricultural use, ensuring that they are not encroached upon or destroyed by illegal mining activities.
“These people [galamseyers] are so powerful that the peasant farmers can’t do anything. We have to educate our members that ‘look, if you give your land out for illegal mining activities, gold is not something they are going to mine forever and by the time they leave, the land would have been devastated’”.
“So, we are educating them that they should not give their lands out. Of course, some of them out of frustration and challenges give out the farmlands”.
Wepia Awal Addo
Addo assured that the Association will persist in raising awareness among communities about the detrimental effects of illegal mining on the environment and ecosystem.
He warned that Ghana’s goal of achieving food self-sufficiency is under threat due to the unchecked menace of galamsey, which is exacerbating food inflation and hindering domestic food production.
The PFAG President cautioned that if Ghana’s population grows to an estimated 54 million by 2050, the country will be heavily reliant on food imports unless drastic measures are taken to combat galamsey and protect agricultural productivity.
He emphasized that inaction is not an option, as it would amount to failing the nation, and therefore reiterated the urgent need for the government to take decisive action against galamsey.
READ ALSO: Iran’s Pezeshkian In Iraq For State Visit
