At a national conference on small‑scale mining for Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives in Kumasi, Dr Zanetor Agyeman‑Rawlings, Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, said illegal mining in Ghana is endangering the country’s diplomatic relations with its West African neighbours.
The minister highlighted that pollution of shared river systems – notably the Tano and Bia – could spill toxic waters into Côte d’Ivoire, turning an environmental crisis into a severe threat to regional diplomacy and national security.
She urged the government, traditional leaders, security agencies and local communities to act immediately, warning that illicit mining proceeds are allegedly funding violent extremism and terrorism in parts of the Sahel.
Dr Agyeman‑Rawlings also warned that the destruction of forests and toxic water pollution undermine food security and pose grave health hazards, especially to children, pregnant women and newborns.
She cited EPA studies showing hazardous levels of mercury, lead, arsenic and cadmium in mining‑impacted areas such as the Odaw River in the Ashanti Region, and stressed the need for decisive action to protect future generations.
Emphasising the role of local authorities, she reminded MMDCEs of their statutory duties under the Local Governance Act, 2016, and called for coordinated efforts rather than centralised directives from Accra alone.
Mr Armah Kofi Buah, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, added that the government is implementing sweeping reforms to decentralise licensing regimes and strengthen community participation to curb illegal mining.
Ghana must not prioritise gold production at the catastrophic expense of agriculture, water security and other vital economic sectors, the minister warned.
With climate change exacerbating weather anomalies, the minister called for urgent measures to halt the crisis before it escalates further.
