Zanetor warns Ghana risks losing rivers and farmlands to illegal mining

The Minister for Science, Environment and Technology, Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, has warned that Ghana risks sacrificing its water sources, farmlands and public health for gold as illegal mining continues to threaten the country’s natural resources.

She raised the concern after visiting illegal mining sites at Osino during a field exercise facilitated by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA).

Dr Agyeman-Rawlings questioned the value of gold extraction if the process leaves behind polluted rivers, unproductive farmlands and an environment unable to sustain future generations.

“What is the value of gold if our rivers are poisoned, our farmlands are rendered unproductive, and our children inherit an environment that can no longer sustain them?” she asked.

She warned that the consequences of environmental destruction extend beyond mining sites, affecting the water people drink, the food they consume, the soil that supports agriculture and the livelihoods that depend on these resources.

According to her, some natural resources may take generations to recover once destroyed, while others may never be restored.

The minister argued that the pursuit of short-term financial gains must not come at the expense of the country’s long-term survival, stressing that environmental protection requires accountability and a collective change in attitudes towards natural resources.

She further maintained that the responsibility for protecting the environment should not rest solely with government and regulatory agencies but must involve all stakeholders.

“We cannot eat gold. We cannot drink gold. And no amount of wealth can replace our environment,” she stated.

The visit brought renewed attention to the environmental cost of illegal mining, particularly its potential effects on water quality, agricultural productivity and public health.

However, Dr Agyeman-Rawlings’ statement did not outline specific enforcement measures or sanctions against those responsible for the illegal mining activities observed at Osino.