Ghana wins financial gold war but loses environmental one
An associate professor says the Ghana Gold Board mobilises gold to support the economy and stabilise the Cedi.
An Associate Professor at the University of Ghana School of Law, Prof Kwadwo Appiagyei-Tuah, stated that Ghana is winning the financial war through gold mobilisation but losing the environmental war due to illegal mining. He praised the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) for its efforts in supporting the economy and stabilising the Ghanaian cedi.
Prof Appiagyei-Tuah highlighted the tension between economic gains from gold and environmental damage, including polluted water bodies and destroyed forest reserves. He acknowledged some progress in fighting illegal mining but questioned the evidence behind reported success figures, noting that some data still indicates alarming levels of the activity.
These comments were made on JoyNews’ Newsfile programme on Saturday, October 31, amid renewed public debate on government interventions against illegal mining. The professor suggested that while some available information points to government progress, other figures do not support this assessment.
Why it mattersGhana's economy and currency stability are supported by gold mobilisation, but environmental damage from illegal mining persists.