Veteran statesman and former diplomat, Dr. Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe, has described illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, as a “cancer destroying Ghana,” warning that its unchecked spread threatens the nation’s survival.
In a strongly worded statement, Dr. Nyaho-Tamakloe said once-pristine rivers such as the Pra, Birim, and Ankobra have been reduced to “lifeless streams of mud and poison.” He noted that the resulting water pollution has deprived many communities of safe drinking water, forcing them to rely on contaminated sources.
He further cautioned that galamsey is ravaging fertile farmlands, endangering food security and crippling Ghana’s agricultural base. Beyond the environmental toll, he cited alarming health risks, including rising cases of skin diseases, waterborne infections, kidney problems, and food contamination caused by toxic chemicals like mercury entering the food chain.
According to him, the persistence of galamsey is not due to the absence of solutions but a failure of leadership, pointing to political interference, corruption, and selective justice.
Dr. Nyaho-Tamakloe argued that the Ghana Armed Forces have the capacity to end galamsey “within a week” if allowed to operate free from political obstruction. He therefore urged government to declare galamsey a national emergency, depoliticize enforcement, and ensure accountability for all perpetrators, regardless of status.
