The images are haunting: viral videos shared widely across social media show murky, brown sludge gushing from inland rivers into the sea, choking the once-pristine coastline. Schools of fish struggle against the suffocating filth, gasping for survival in a dying ecosystem.
What is the source of this cruelty to the fish? Illegal mining, locally known as galamsey, is poisoning Ghana’s rivers and oceans, threatening the livelihood of coastal communities and a country whose survival is intricately tied to the health of its waters.
Researchers have indicated that over 60 percent of Ghana’s water bodies are contaminated due to galamsey and other harmful environmental practices. Fisheries experts, including the National Fisheries Association of Ghana (NAFAG), are sounding the alarm about the dire consequences for the fishing sector.
They warn that if these activities continue unchecked, Ghana will not only lose its freshwater and food production, but will also suffer from dwindling fish stocks, putting at risk the very survival of millions who depend on the sea for food and employment.
The Polluted Pathway: From Rivers to Oceans
Illegal mining has ravaged Ghana’s rivers such as the Pra, Offin, and Ankobra through the use of toxic chemicals like mercury and cyanide to extract precious minerals. These harmful substances leach into water bodies, poisoning aquatic life and disrupting ecosystems. As these polluted rivers flow downstream, they carry the toxic, chemically polluted water into the sea.
The result is the contamination of marine life, particularly fish, which are an essential source of protein for millions of Ghanaians. The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture has revealed that Ghana’s annual demand for fish is about 1.2 million metric tonnes.
In Ghana’s coastal communities, where fishing is not just an economic activity but a way of life, this crisis poses a direct threat to food security. Communities like Elmina, Axim, Keta, and Tema have raised alarms, fearing for their future. They continue to report dwindling fish stocks, unhealthy catches, and increasing signs that the toxic tide from inland mining is poisoning their seas.
The link between land and sea is undeniable—what happens to our rivers and land ultimately impacts our ocean ecosystem.
Impact on Fish Spawning Areas
One of the most overlooked yet critical aspects of galamsey pollution is its devastating impact on fish spawning grounds. Many fish species, such as sardinella, rely on freshwater ecosystems like estuaries and river deltas to lay their eggs and breed. When these areas are choked with silt, heavy metals, and other pollutants, fish are unable to reproduce at sustainable levels. The destruction of these spawning grounds leads to a sharp decline in fish populations, further depleting marine life in the open sea.
NAFAG, alongside others in the sector, has called for immediate action to address the menace of illegal mining in order to save the fishing industry. They stress that the challenges facing the fisheries sector cannot be attributed entirely to illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. According to NAFAG, resolving the galamsey issue is essential for the survival of both inland water bodies and the ocean.
Mr. Richster Nii Amarh Amarfio, the Vice Chairman of NAFAG, explained, “Inland water bodies themselves are habitats for fish; they contribute to our fisheries demand. When we destroy our inland water bodies, it puts unnecessary pressure on marine fisheries.” He emphasized that galamsey and other harmful environmental practices destroy coastlines, which serve as spawning grounds for fish. Destroying mangroves, brackish water, and estuaries also destroys hatcheries and spawning grounds.
“It destroys the fisheries habitat because you’re introducing toxic substances into the water, killing the fish. The fish will move away from the shore into deeper waters. Juveniles, which often move closer to the shore to avoid predators, will die because the coastlines are no longer safe.”
Nutritional and Economic Impacts
The intersection of galamsey, depleted fish stocks, and malnutrition cannot be overlooked. Fish is the cheapest source of protein for Ghanaians, with about 60 percent of Ghana’s protein needs coming from fish. According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Ghana’s per capita fish consumption is one of the highest in Africa, yet the country faces the risk of significant shortfalls in fish supply.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) highlights the importance of fish for brain development, especially in children, and warns that reduced fish intake could lead to long-term nutritional deficits in coastal populations. Malnutrition, particularly among children and pregnant women, could worsen if galamsey continues unabated. This creates a paradox: while some communities benefit financially from illegal mining, they are ultimately harmed by the nutritional consequences.
Experts warn that communities relying on fish as a staple in their diet may turn to less nutritious, more expensive, or even harmful alternatives, exacerbating existing public health challenges. Heavy metals like mercury and cyanide not only affect marine life but also accumulate in the food chain. When humans consume fish contaminated with these toxins, they face serious health risks, including kidney damage, nervous system disorders, and birth defects in pregnant women.
Economically, the livelihood of over two million people directly and indirectly depends on the fishing industry. With fish stocks depleting due to pollution, fishermen are returning from sea with significantly lower catches, further impoverishing already vulnerable coastal communities. The ripple effects extend to fishmongers, processors, ice block makers, transporters, sellers, and even local restaurants that rely on fresh fish. Many of these workers are women, and the economic strain exacerbates food insecurity and poverty.
The dwindling fish catches have already led to higher fish prices in local markets, further straining the pockets of Ghanaians.
Charting a New Path
Solving the galamsey crisis and mitigating its impact on the fishing sector requires a multi-faceted approach. Law enforcement must be strengthened, and existing environmental and water protection laws must be rigorously enforced. Local authorities, the military, and community leaders must collaborate effectively to clamp down on illegal mining operations.
Extensive river reclamation efforts are also essential. These efforts should focus on restoring polluted water bodies to their natural state through replanting vegetation along riverbanks, cleaning up riverbeds, and reducing sediment inflow.
Local communities must be empowered with the tools and training needed to monitor and report galamsey activities. Additionally, to reduce the pressure on natural fish stocks, there is an urgent need to diversify livelihoods in coastal regions through sustainable aquaculture, which involves fish farming in controlled environments. By investing in eco-friendly fish farming technologies, the government can provide fishermen with new opportunities to maintain their income.
Raising public awareness about the dangers of consuming fish from polluted waters is also critical. This should be accompanied by a national dialogue involving all stakeholders, including environmentalists, fishermen, policymakers, and the private sector, to devise long-term solutions.
Conclusion
The menace of galamsey extends far beyond the quest for gold; it is a profound environmental disaster with irreversible implications for Ghana’s fishing sector and national food security. As rivers become conduits for toxic chemicals, they poison coastal waters and fish stocks, threatening the livelihoods of millions and deepening poverty in fishing communities.
The economic strain, coupled with the looming nutritional crisis, demands urgent, multi-faceted action. Solving the crisis requires a concerted effort, from enforcing stricter laws against illegal mining to reclaiming damaged water bodies and promoting sustainable fishing practices.
To safeguard Ghana’s future, all stakeholders—government, local communities, and environmental experts—must come together to develop long-term solutions. It’s not just the fishermen or the rivers at stake; it’s the survival of entire communities, ecosystems, and future generations. Galamsey must be confronted now, before the seas are silenced and the rivers run dry of life.
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