Key Points
- Jema residents formed a local task force to combat illegal mining and protect the environment.
- Illegal mining has polluted rivers and cost Ghana billions in lost gold revenue.
- High unemployment continues to drive youth toward galamsey despite growing risks.
Illegal gold mining continues to grow across Ghana, one of the world’s top gold producers, as economic hardship and unemployment push more people into the risky trade.
The practice, known locally as galamsey—a shortened form of “gather and sell”—has contaminated major rivers and farmlands with toxic chemicals like mercury and cyanide. Environmental groups warn that the destruction is reaching crisis levels.
Rivers Turn Toxic
The Ankobra River in Ghana’s Western North Region was once a vital water source for thousands of residents. Today, its waters run grey and polluted. Fisherman Benjamin Yankey said the contamination has devastated fish stocks and wildlife.
“The river used to feed us,” he said. “Now it brings sickness and death.”
A Community Takes Action
In the town of Jema, about 15,000 residents have decided to fight back. They banned all mining activities on their land in 2015 under a customary law that allows local chiefs to enforce environmental rules.
Their efforts gave rise to the Jema Anti-Galamsey Advocacy task force, or JAGA. The 14-member group patrols forests and waterways, looking for signs of illegal activity such as muddy water, tree clearing, or mining pits. When they find offenders, they hand them over to police.
The initiative began with support from local Catholic priest Joseph Kwame Blay, who has championed community awareness campaigns.
“Jema people have seen this as a legacy,” Blay said. “Our slogan now is simple: Jema, no galamsey.”
Facing Resistance and Risk
JAGA president Patrick Fome said the work has been dangerous. “People threaten our lives because they think we’re taking away their jobs,” he said. “They rely on mining to survive, so they see us as enemies.”
Still, the task force points to visible results. Streams in the Jema Forest Reserve remain cleaner than those in nearby regions, a sign the local ban is working.
Economic Strain and Limited Options
Not everyone supports the crackdown. With youth unemployment nearing 39 percent, many residents see illegal mining as their only source of income. Farming profits have fallen sharply, leaving young people desperate for alternatives.
Government data shows illegal miners are active in 44 of Ghana’s 288 forest reserves. A recent Swissaid report estimated that the country lost more than $11 billion to gold smuggling in the past five years.
Local leaders warn that without new investments in farming and rural industries, the fight against illegal mining will remain fragile.
National Response
President John Mahama, who took office in January, has launched a national task force to combat illegal mining. His administration has so far resisted calls to declare a state of emergency, arguing that other measures are still being tested.
Last year, thousands of Ghanaians joined nationwide protests demanding stronger government action against galamsey.
For now, communities like Jema continue to take the lead, proving that local action can make a difference even when national efforts struggle to keep pace.
