Illegal mining threatens Ghana's regional diplomacy
Minister Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings warns shared rivers polluted by mining could spill toxic waters into Côte d'Ivoire.
Illegal mining in Ghana is straining diplomatic ties with neighbouring West African nations due to the pollution of shared river systems. Environment Minister Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings stated that toxic waters from rivers like the Tano and Bia could flow into Côte d'Ivoire, escalating the issue beyond an environmental crisis to a threat to regional diplomacy and national security. She called for immediate, coordinated action from government, traditional leaders, security agencies, and communities to tackle the menace.
Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings warned that illicit proceeds from illegal mining were allegedly being used to finance violent extremism in the Sahel region, making Ghana complicit in activities that jeopardise sub-regional security. The destruction of forests and pollution of water bodies are also severely undermining Ghana's food security and exposing future generations to health hazards. She stressed that gold production should not come at the expense of agriculture, water security, and other vital economic sectors.
Scientific evidence, including research on the Odaw River, shows severe pollution from illicit mining, with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identifying hazardous levels of heavy metals like mercury and lead. As a medical doctor, Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings expressed concern over public health impacts, especially for children and pregnant women, noting that contaminated boreholes can serve as drinking water sources for schoolchildren miles away.
Why it mattersGhana's illegal mining activities are polluting shared rivers, directly impacting neighbouring countries and potentially funding extremism, threatening regional stability.