Gadangme Alliance for Change Demands Immediate Gov’t Action Against Illegal Mining Threat
The Gadangme Alliance for Change (GDAC) has issued a forceful appeal to Ghanaians, both domestically and abroad, calling for immediate and decisive action against illegal mining (galamsey), which it describes as a grave threat to the nation’s environmental, health, and food security infrastructure.
In a statement, the GDAC warned that the unchecked spread of galamsey could define the legacies of political leaders and lead to a multifaceted national crisis if not addressed urgently.
The alliance underscored the particular vulnerability of Gadangme communities, highlighting the long-term health risks posed by exposure to toxic substances such as mercury and arsenic, which are increasingly contaminating food supplies from galamsey-affected regions.
According to the GDAC, this contamination poses a significant threat to public health, with signs of cerebral palsy in children already being reported due to pollution in critical water sources such as the Densu River and Kpeshie Lagoon.
There are also growing concerns over a potential rise in cancer and cardiovascular diseases, as these communities remain reliant on produce from contaminated areas.
The group further warned of a likely influx of displaced populations from galamsey-affected regions, with Gadangme lands expected to bear the brunt of internal migration, compounding pressure on already inadequate infrastructure and social services.
The GDAC called the current situation “unjust,” emphasizing that Gadangme communities should not be forced to absorb the broader consequences of Ghana’s illegal mining crisis. The group issued a set of specific demands, including:
1. The immediate imposition of an indefinite ban on galamsey.
2. The public disclosure of Members of Parliament involved in galamsey operations, urging political parties to hold these individuals accountable and bar them from running for office.
3. A commitment from future governments, notably the National Democratic Congress (NDC), to recover funds from galamsey operators and prosecute them, using the recovered resources to remediate environmental damage.
4. The excommunication of any Gadangme individual or company found to be financing galamsey activities.
The GDAC’s statement reflects a rising tide of discontent in Ghana, as the country grapples with the environmental, economic, and health repercussions of illegal mining.
The alliance called on the government, political actors, civil society, and international community to unite in the fight to end galamsey, warning that failure to act could have lasting consequences for the nation’s future.
