Renowned Ghanaian businessman and mining executive Sir Sam Jonah has raised concerns over the widespread destruction of the country’s rivers, forests and farmlands due to illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, warning that the practice presents serious environmental, economic, public health and moral challenges. Sir Sam Jonah bemoaned the worsening condition of Ghana’s water bodies, noting that rivers which once supplied clean water and supported local communities have been severely polluted by mining activities.
He made these remarks on Thursday, October 15, 2026, while addressing the Methodist University Ghana International Conference 2026, held to mark the institution’s 25th anniversary. The mining executive described the environmental devastation caused by illegal mining as a disturbing indication of the country’s failure to protect its natural resources and preserve them for both current and future generations.
“Illegal mining, galamsey, is destroying our rivers, our forests and our farmland. Rivers that fed our grandparents now run the colour of chocolate milk. This is not only an environmental problem. It is an economic problem, a health problem and, in the end, a moral problem. “It is what happens when people gain all they can and forget Wesley’s condition about not hurting their neighbour. But stewardship is not only about the land. It is also about money and talent,” he said.
Illegal mining has contributed significantly to the pollution of rivers and other water bodies, the degradation of forest reserves and the destruction of fertile agricultural land. These activities also threaten the livelihoods of communities that depend on farming, fishing and other natural resource-based occupations.
The contamination of water bodies remains one of the most evident consequences of galamsey, raising concerns about the challenges facing water treatment facilities, access to safe drinking water and the rising cost of providing potable water to affected communities.
Beyond the immediate environmental impact, the destruction of forests and farmlands poses further risks to food production, biodiversity and the long-term sustainability of Ghana’s natural resources. The growing scale of the damage has intensified concerns about the country’s ability to preserve its environment and protect the welfare of future generations.
