Zanetor Questions The Value Of Gold As Galamsey Threatens Farms And Rivers

Minister of Environment, Science and Technology Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings has warned that Ghana’s pursuit of gold must not come at the cost of its environment, public health and the future of generations to come.

Her warning followed a field visit to illegal mining sites in Osino, where she observed the destruction associated with galamsey. In a Facebook post shared on October 28, 2026, the minister expressed concern about the lasting consequences of environmental damage caused by the activities.

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

Dr Agyeman-Rawlings stressed that Ghana’s natural resources were finite and that the damage caused by illegal mining could be difficult to reverse. While some affected areas might take generations to recover, she warned that certain losses could be permanent.

The minister’s concerns extend beyond the immediate areas where illegal mining takes place. She highlighted the potential threat to rivers, farmland, food production, public health and the livelihoods of communities that depend on natural resources.

Polluted water sources can affect the availability of safe drinking water, while damaged farmland can undermine agricultural productivity and the incomes of farmers. These consequences could also affect communities far beyond the mining sites themselves.

“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.

Her remarks place the environmental costs of galamsey at the centre of the debate over Ghana’s mineral wealth. Although gold remains an important natural resource, the minister’s message was that its economic value cannot compensate for the destruction of essential resources that support human life.

Dr Agyeman-Rawlings also emphasised that environmental protection should not be left solely to the government and regulatory institutions. She called for collective responsibility, accountability and a fundamental change in how people treat the country’s natural resources.

Her visit to Osino and subsequent warning underscore the need to consider the long-term effects of illegal mining on water, agriculture and the environment. The challenge, as highlighted by the minister, is to protect Ghana’s natural heritage while ensuring that present economic activities do not leave future generations with damage that cannot be repaired.

Source: https://mobile.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/We-cannot-eat-gold-Dr-Zanetor-warns-of-galamsey-s-devastating-consequences-2058896

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