Mitigating the problems that Galamsey has brought the country has been a highest concern for Ghanaians all over the country. The problem of illegal mining in Ghana, popularly known by indigens as ‘Galamsey’ has called for a collective voice to curb the negative implications illegal mining has on our environment. The environment has been a place for all but the rapid involvement of citizens, especially the youth in illegal mining has sped the rate of environmental destruction all over the country. Images captured from drones showed how far Galamsey’ had spread in many areas with rich mineral deposits. We live in a country where resources abounds us, however poor extraction of these resources has created problems instead of benefiting the country. The fight against Galamsey in the country has not been so easy since many individuals who are engaged in these acts are connected to leaders or people who have greater influence in government. Our rivers are being destroyed, and we are being exposed to the harmful chemicals used in these mining areas. We may have stopped using some surface waters that have been exposed to these minerals, but we shouldn’t forget the recharge of underground water by infiltration from our surface waters. Presently, many individuals are relying on underground waters that have been dug out. However, we shouldn’t loose sight of the pollution we have exposed the underground aquifers to as a result of pollution of our surface water by chemicals used in Galamsey.
Curbing Galamsey in Ghana is not a choice but a necessity, and we have to focus on the “why’s” of the matter in other to deal with the issue. Why are individuals engaged in illegal mining in recent times? Why has the fight against illegal mining become so difficult?
Many individuals engaged in Galamsey are mostly the youths and this is attributed to the higher rates of Unemployment in the country. Individuals complete their education with the hope of being employed, however, the difficulty in gaining employment has made many youth of today engaged in Galamsey. There is a need for jobs to be created for the youth, the economy must be open with government assistance for the youth to establish their own businesses. We need to end Galamsey, but we could only do so when we’ve created opportunities for the youth to be employed.