Frimpong-Boateng Warns Ghana Faces $21 Billion Galamsey Catastrophe
Former Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, has projected that Ghana will require an estimated twenty one billion dollars to rehabilitate vast tracts of land ravaged by illegal mining and environmentally destructive practices. The renowned surgeon and environmental advocate described the situation as an ecological emergency of monumental proportions.
The former minister disclosed that close to a tenth of the nation’s territorial expanse, encompassing approximately twenty three thousand eight hundred and fifty three square kilometres, has been severely degraded and is in urgent need of comprehensive reclamation. He warned that the scale of devastation extends beyond surface excavation to include contamination of water bodies, deforestation, and loss of biodiversity.
Professor Frimpong-Boateng is quoted as saying the financial implication reflects not merely earthmoving but a complex regime of soil remediation, reforestation, hydrological restoration, and livelihood resettlement. He contended that without decisive intervention, the country risks irreversible environmental insolvency and long-term food insecurity.
According to #ghbrain, the estimation underscores the cumulative impact of years of unregulated artisanal mining, commonly referred to as galamsey, which has persisted despite successive interdiction efforts.
The disclosure adds to a growing body of scientific literature that positions illegal mining as the single most potent driver of land degradation in Ghana. Successive administrations have deployed task forces and regulatory reforms, yet enforcement gaps and economic desperation continue to fuel encroachment into forest reserves and river basins.
Stakeholders argue that a dedicated restoration fund, underpinned by transparent governance and community participation, will be essential if the country is to reverse the damage and secure ecological sustainability for future generations.
Source: #ghbrain
Call or WhatsApp +233 20 2190 250 and share your story.
Author: Korkor Anumu
