Ghana is endowed with a lot of mineral resources. Unfortunately, enormous amount of revenues are slipping through the hands of the government owing to illegal mining locally known as "galamsey" and orpailleurs in neighboring francophone countries.
These activities usually takes places in the Eastern, Western parts of the country and Brong Ahafo and Ashanti region where these mineral resources are known to be in abundance.
The government, in 1989 passed a P.N.D.C law 218 to legalize small scale mining in an efforts to curb illegal mining(galamsey). However, the results over the years have proven futile as the practice is known to be increasing over the years.
The process involves the use of chemicals such as mercury and cyanide. Majority of workers involved are men with women being used as porters in the mining areas.
These activities have left most part of the country with a lot of detrimental effects over the years.
It is sad to know that the damage caused not only affects the environments but drains the government coiffures and retards development.
Man and animals are exposed to mercury poisoning.
Also in November 12, 2009. a collapse occurred in an illegal, privately owned mines in Dompoase, Ashanti Region. Eighteen(18) workers were killed thirteen of whom were women. The event was described as the worst ever to happen in the history of Ghana's mining activities.
On the 16th June,2014. six people were known to have been buried under a 12 meter pit whiles prospecting for gold at Ahafo Ano North district of the Ashanti Region, several others were also injured. According to ghanaweb.
Environmentally, our virgin forest are being depleted. On March 19, 2014 illegal mining activities were reported to be moving into restricted forest. Huge pits and trenches left uncovered are leading to massive erosional activities, degrading the land and creating endangered zones for children in these communities as they are likely to fall into them.
The rivers are being polluted amounting to water shortages and spread of diseases around the communities.
In an effort to halt the practices 4500 Chinese nationals were deported on 15 July, 2013. They were reported to be abettors of most galamsey operations in the country.
In addition to that the security agencies; military, police and the Environmental Protection Agencies and the minerals commission have set up a task force to bring those involved to book.
Although, their effort have being gradually alleviating the problem, I think they should still step up on their game.