Some illegal miners on site
The issue of illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, has recently resurfaced in the media, highlighting the significant harm these activities are causing to both human lives and society at large.
Beyond the pollution of the country’s water bodies and associated health risks, the Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG) has warned that the unchecked operations of galamsey could lead to a generational food and nutrition crisis.
In a press release signed by the National President of the Association, Wepia Awal Addo Adugwala, and seen by GhanaWeb Business, it was revealed that over 1.2 million hectares of farmlands have been lost to illegal mining activities.
Additionally, irrigation facilities have been contaminated with poisonous chemicals, making sustainable and meaningful agricultural production challenging.
“The Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG) is deeply concerned about the escalating galamsey menace, which is devastating our water bodies and environment. This illegal and unconscionable activity, perpetuated by wicked, callous, and greedy individuals, is not only threatening the sustainability of our environment but also the survival and livelihoods of farmers and our food and nutrition security,” the statement read.
“The Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana is therefore issuing a strong warning to the government: if no drastic measures are taken to halt this phenomenon, we are on the brink of a generational food crisis due to the unavailability of farmlands, the effects of climate change, and the rampant destruction of our water bodies,” it added.
The PFAG president also lamented that some illegal miners have purchased lands from poor and desperate farmers for galamsey activities.
SA/MA
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