Prof. Albert Ebo Duncan, a civil and environmental engineer at the University of Cape Coast (UCC), cautioned that rivers tainted by illegal mining could require a century to return to their natural state, while soils contaminated by toxic chemicals may need three centuries for full recovery.
Speaking at an anti‑galamsey public education forum in Praso, Twifo Atti‑Morkwa District, the central region, Duncan highlighted the scale of pollution introduced by galamsey, noting heavy metals and processing chemicals have entered Ghana’s water bodies and soils, slowing natural cleansing processes.
He warned that even if illegal mining ceased immediately, contaminated water could remain unsafe for up to 100 years, and chemically degraded farmlands might stay unsuitable for ecological and agricultural use for roughly 300 years.
The forum, organised by UCC’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering with support from the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives, is part of a two‑month house‑to‑house campaign aimed at educating residents, especially schoolchildren, about the dangers of illegal mining.
Sixteen trained young environmental advocates will work in groups to spread awareness, with selected teachers providing support. Drama performances by pupils illustrated the impact of polluted water on agriculture, human health and national food security.
Prof. Duncan urged young people to stay away from illegal mining and called on the government, traditional authorities, communities and civil society organisations to bolster efforts to end the practice and protect Ghana’s water bodies and lands.
