Renowned Ghanaian businessman and mining executive Sir Sam Jonah has warned that illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, is undermining Ghana’s economic prospects, threatening public health and exposing a growing failure to protect the country’s natural resources.
He said the destruction of rivers, forests and farmlands had consequences beyond environmental degradation, threatening livelihoods, food production and access to safe drinking water.
Addressing the Methodist University Ghana International Conference 2026 on Thursday, October 15, to commemorate the institution’s 25th anniversary, Sir Sam Jonah described the pollution of Ghana’s rivers as a troubling indication of the scale of the illegal mining crisis.
“Illegal mining, galamsey, is destroying our rivers, our forests and our farmland. Rivers that fed our grandparents now run the colour of chocolate milk,” he said.
“This is not only an environmental problem. It is an economic problem, a health problem and, in the end, a moral problem.”
His remarks highlighted the wider national implications of illegal mining, which has become a major concern because of its impact on water bodies, agricultural land and forest reserves.
Threat to livelihoods and food security
Sir Sam Jonah’s concerns come amid growing alarm over the effects of illegal mining on communities that depend on farming, fishing and other natural-resource-based activities.
The destruction of farmlands threatens agricultural production, while the degradation of forests undermines biodiversity and the ecological systems that support livelihoods.
Pollution of rivers also raises concerns about the availability and cost of treating water for domestic consumption, particularly in communities that depend on affected water bodies.
The resulting environmental damage could have long-term implications for food security, public health and the sustainability of Ghana’s natural resources.
For Sir Sam Jonah, the crisis reflects a deeper problem of responsibility and the need to balance economic activities with the protection of resources that belong to both present and future generations.
A question of responsibility
The mining executive also framed the galamsey problem as a moral issue, arguing that the pursuit of personal gain should not come at the expense of other people’s welfare.
“It is what happens when people gain all they can and forget Wesley’s condition about not hurting their neighbour. But stewardship is not only about the land. It is also about money and talent,” he said.
The comments broadened the debate beyond environmental protection to include the ethical responsibilities of individuals and institutions in managing the country’s resources.
Illegal mining has remained a major challenge for successive governments, with concerns extending to the protection of water bodies, the enforcement of mining regulations and the preservation of livelihoods in affected communities.
Sir Sam Jonah’s intervention adds to calls for greater responsibility in the management of Ghana’s natural resources, as the country confronts the environmental, economic and public health consequences of galamsey.
