By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
Ghana is preparing for a nationwide lockdown on September 30 as civil servants and labor unions intensify their protests against illegal mining, known as Galamsey. The environmental destruction caused by unregulated mining operations has severely impacted the country’s water sources, with the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) reporting that 60% of major water bodies are polluted.
The GWCL highlighted that the contamination has overwhelmed water treatment facilities, creating widespread water shortages. Civil society, religious leaders, and media organizations are urging the government to declare a state of emergency, revoke mining licenses, and deploy security forces to clear illegal miners from affected areas. Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey, leader of the Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey, stated, “This is a crisis, and the president must act now.”
Source: Africanews
