Our Water Our Right Coalition Calls for Urgent Action Against Illegal Mining in Ghana
The Our Water Our Right Coalition (OWORAC) has expressed solidarity with the Ghanaian populace protesting the detrimental effects of illegal mining activities, commonly referred to as galamsey, on vital water bodies, agricultural lands, and public health.
The coalition underscores that access to clean and safe drinking water is an internationally recognized human right and urges Ghanaian authorities to take decisive action to address this ongoing ecological crisis.
Illegal mining operations are known to employ hazardous chemicals, such as mercury and cyanide, which contaminate local water systems and soil, posing significant health risks to communities.
Reports of rising health issues linked to this extractive practice are increasingly prevalent, with many Ghanaians now facing dire consequences.
Prominent water sources—including the Densu, Birim, Pra, Ankobra, and Tano rivers—have transformed from essential lifelines into toxic waterways. This pollution has decimated aquatic life and rendered agricultural lands unfit for cultivation, severely undermining the livelihoods of local fishers and farmers.
In the Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai district, a hotspot for illegal mining, medical investigations have established a troubling correlation between these activities and reproductive health challenges, including the detection of heavy metals in the placentas of pregnant women. This has led to an alarming rise in congenital disabilities among newborns.
The pervasive challenge of galamsey has forced the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) to shutter several water treatment facilities, exacerbating water scarcity and driving up tariffs for consumers. Analysts warn that if left unchecked, Ghana may need to resort to importing water by 2030.
Despite the severity of the situation, government responses have been characterized by repression rather than resolution. Protesters advocating for government action against galamsey have faced arrests, violence, and restrictions on legal representation. OWORAC condemns these oppressive tactics as attempts to stifle legitimate public dissent.
Rather than penalizing citizens who raise alarms about the threats posed by illegal mining, OWORAC is calling for a state of emergency regarding all mining activities in and around water bodies, in accordance with constitutional mandates.
The coalition highlights the irony of the government’s promises to combat this crisis, pointing to a lack of political will and the apparent involvement of high-ranking officials in illegal mining operations. Political figures have even suggested that they will not act against galamsey for fear of jeopardizing their electoral prospects in the approaching general elections.
OWORAC rejects the notion that the interests of a select few should override the well-being of the broader population and the principles of social justice. Immediate and responsible action is required to address the ongoing environmental and public health crises resulting from illegal mining.
The coalition calls on Ghanaian authorities to undertake remediation efforts for contaminated waters and lands and to implement stringent regulations compelling mining entities to adopt sustainable practices. Furthermore, OWORAC urges environmental regulators to hold accountable those responsible for this crisis.
