Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has called on the government to move beyond dialogue and take urgent action to combat illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, warning of its severe environmental and health consequences.
Addressing Parliament during the ongoing sitting of its third meeting, Afenyo-Markin highlighted the alarming spread of toxic metals in mining communities.
He revealed that mercury levels in soils are up to 134 times above safe limits, while arsenic concentrations exceed World Health Organization (WHO) standards by over 4,000 percent. These dangerous contaminants are infiltrating water sources, food crops, and ultimately affecting the health of local populations.
“Doctors are increasingly diagnosing children from mining regions with kidney disorders, with some x-rays even revealing mercury pellets lodged inside their bodies,” he disclosed.
“Children now require dialysis due to the poisonous legacy of galamsey.”
He warned that the nation’s future is at risk, with the health and development of younger generations severely compromised.
“Our nation’s future is being sickened and stunted.”
Despite Ghana being the top gold producer in Africa, Afenyo-Markin emphasized that unregulated small-scale mining has fueled a shadow economy that depletes national resources and benefits criminal elements.
He stressed “Mr. Speaker, despite being Ghana’s top gold producer, the surge in unregulated small-scale mining has created an underground economy that drains national resources and benefits criminal networks.
“In just eight months this year, small-scale gold exports surged to over 6.3 billion dollars, according to the CEO of Ghana Gold Board. However, much of this trade is believed to be illicit,” Afenyo Markin remarked.
The Minority Leader expressed solidarity with all affected Ghanaians and welcomed advocacy efforts from civil society groups and religious leaders.
He urged for practical solutions including stringent laws and sustainable alternative livelihoods to address the crisis.
“The minority stands with all Ghanaians, calling for decisive action. We welcome the advocacy from civil society and religious leaders and we support real solutions from tougher laws to sustainable alternatives,” he noted.
Criticizing the government’s response, Afenyo-Markin noted that the galamsey problem has deteriorated since the current administration took office.
“Mr. Speaker, we must also admit that the situation has worsened since this government came into office.”
He cited statements from the May Day 2025 celebrations, where the Trades Union Congress (TUC), through its secretary-general, lamented the worsening galamsey menace within just five months of the government’s tenure.
Mr. Markin emphasized “At the 2025 May Day celebrations, organised labour, speaking through its secretary-general, confronted this matter with deep disappointment that the Galamsey menace has worsened under the watch of this government, barely five months into its administration. TUC’s position was again echoed by the acting Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe Bonnie, at the GBA conference in Wa.”
Source: www.Kumasimail/Kwadwo Owusu
