Galamsey Damage: Recovering Polluted Rivers and Lands Could Take Up to 300 Years, Experts Warn

Introduction

Environmental experts have delivered a stark warning regarding the long-term ecological toll of illegal mining in Ghana, commonly known as ‘galamsey’. According to a senior academic at the University of Cape Coast (UCC), the extensive contamination of major river systems and the widespread destruction of arable lands could require anywhere from 100 to 300 years to achieve natural ecological recovery.

The assessment underscores the compounding severity of environmental degradation caused by unregulated extraction activities, which continue to threaten national water security, public health, and agricultural sustainability despite ongoing government and civil society interventions.

Key Takeaways

• UCC professor estimates environmental recovery from galamsey could span 100 to 300 years.
• Major water bodies and forest reserves face unprecedented chemical and physical contamination.
• Experts call for immediate, aggressive reclamation policies and stricter enforcement to halt further deterioration.