A joint statement by Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Research Scientists Association at the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) has warned that illegal mining poses a critical threat to the nation’s environment, public health, and economic stability.

CSIR and GAEC experts urged immediate action, stressing that talk is no longer enough – the government must take swift and sustained measures to address the galamsey crisis.

According to the statement, exposure to toxic substances such as cadmium, arsenic, chromium, and lead can increase the risk of developing cancer and various non-cancerous diseases.

“The activities of galamsey operations contribute to the environmental factors that lead to Ghana recording over 24,000 cancer cases annually. For example, arsenic may be associated with Buruli ulcer.

“Further, communities near mining sites suffer from increased incidences of respiratory diseases, skin conditions, and other health issues due to exposure to hazardous chemicals”.
CSIR and GAEC

CSIR and GAEC further expressed their commitment to collaborating with the government and other stakeholders to develop effective policies and restore Ghana’s degraded lands, forests, and water resources.

Additionally, they aim to restructure the small-scale mining sector’s entire value chain, promoting a more sustainable and responsible mining practice.

Accordingly, CSIR and GAEC appealed to the government and stakeholders to invest in research collaborations, seeking science-driven solutions to combat Ghana’s devastating illegal mining crisis.

They also insisted that all illegal small-scale mining activities in Ghana be suspended forthwith, pending the implementation of stringent regulations and sustainable mining practices that prioritize environmental protection and public health.

CSIR and GAEC recommended a minimum one-year suspension during which the government should invest in promoting eco-friendly and sustainable mining practices

They maintained that this initiative will facilitate the formalization of the small-scale mining sector, ultimately phasing out harmful extraction methods.

“Just as the sea is closed for a month each year to allow for a bumper harvest when it reopens, this, in our considered view, would be tackling the galamsey menace with the urgency it requires”.
CSIR and GAEC

The Research Firms asserted Ghana’s water bodies are on the brink of disaster due to illegal mining, and immediate action is necessary to prevent catastrophic consequences for the environment and public health.

Parliament Urged To Repeal L.I 2462 To Save Ghana’s Forest Reserves

Furthermore, CSIR and GAEC urged Parliament to reconvene and swiftly repeal the Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) Regulations 2022, also known as L.I 2462, to address the devastating impact of mining in Ghana’s forest reserves.

According to the statement, the Legislative Instrument (LI) 2462, which alarmingly permits mining activities within protected forest reserves must be reviewed.

“If Members of Parliament can be recalled to grant tax exemptions for companies they believe bring substantial investments, they should act with similar urgency to address the galamsey crisis”.

“This issue is a ticking time bomb, threatening to derail all the economic gains and investments made by the nation, and thus immediate action is needed”.
CSIR and GAEC

Meanwhile, L.I. 2462 is a legislative instrument in Ghana that permits mining activities within forest reserves under certain conditions, but only if deemed in the national interest.

This regulation has been a subject of controversy due to concerns over its potential environmental impact.

The instrument allows mining in forest reserves, which has raised alarms among environmentalists and conservationists.

For instance, the Atewa Range Forest Reserve, known for its rich biodiversity and mineral wealth, has been threatened by illegal mining activities.

Additionally, Organised Labour and other associations have issued an ultimatum to the government, demanding a lasting solution to the menace by the end of September.

Organised Labour warned that the government’s failure to comply will trigger a series of industrial strikes, emphasizing the urgency for constructive action.