Author: Mark Wilberforce & Favour Nunoo

In Ghana, illegal gold mining is causing environmental devastation. The practice, known locally as galamsey, involves using mercury to extract gold on a massive scale, leading to land degradation and river pollution. The situation has escalated, with artists like Israel Derrick Apeti drawing attention to the issue through his paintings. The illegal mining has also impacted agriculture, with cocoa farms and other crops being destroyed. Despite government efforts to curb the practice, it remains a lucrative source of income for many, further exacerbated by rising global gold prices. The involvement of powerful individuals has hindered crackdowns on galamsey, raising concerns…