Dr Zanetor warns Ghana’s gold rush must not destroy its future

Minister of Environment, Science and Technology Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings has warned that illegal gold mining must not be allowed to devastate Ghana’s environment or deprive future generations of the country’s natural resources.

The minister raised the alarm after visiting mining sites in Osino, where she witnessed the scale of destruction caused by galamsey. In a Facebook post published on 28 October 2026, she said the damage showed the urgent need for action.

Dr Agyeman-Rawlings said Ghana’s natural resources were limited and warned that some environmental harm could take generations to repair, while other damage might be permanent.

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

She said the impact of illegal mining extended well beyond the areas where mining took place. Polluted rivers could threaten drinking water, while damaged farmland could undermine food production and the livelihoods of farmers.

The minister also linked the destruction to wider public health concerns, saying the condition of the soil, water and surrounding environment affected the wellbeing of communities.

“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.

Dr Agyeman-Rawlings said the consequences of galamsey should not be measured only by the gold extracted or the immediate financial returns generated. She stressed that environmental resources supported daily life and could not simply be replaced by wealth.

She added that responsibility for protecting Ghana’s environment did not rest only with the government or regulatory bodies. Individuals, communities and other stakeholders also had a duty to act responsibly and hold one another accountable.

The minister called for a fundamental change in attitudes towards the country’s natural resources, arguing that economic activity should not come at the cost of poisoned rivers, unproductive farmland and long-term damage to the environment.

Her visit to Osino underlined the need for urgent action to limit the effects of illegal mining and protect the resources on which present and future generations depend.