As government officials trumpet the recent rebound of the cedi as proof of economic stabilisation, fresh concerns are mounting over the devastating environmental and health toll of illegal mining.
Cadman Atta Mills, brother of the late President John Evans Atta Mills, has cautioned that the celebration of economic recovery risks masking the destruction caused by galamsey. In a sharp post on X (formerly Twitter), he stressed that no amount of currency stability is worth the pollution of rivers, destruction of farmland, and long-term health crises facing Ghanaian communities.
“I refuse to pay for the accolades President Mahama and the NDC is receiving for the cedi’s recovery with my health or life,” Mr. Mills declared.
His remarks highlight a growing dilemma: while policymakers tout foreign exchange stability and improved investor confidence, communities across mining areas are left to grapple with poisoned water sources and declining agricultural productivity.
Mr. Mills further argued that whether labeled as “illegal” galamsey or politically backed small-scale mining, the outcome is the same—environmental devastation and human suffering.
“This is killing us,” he warned, underscoring a reality many environmental activists have long flagged: short-term economic applause could come at the cost of Ghana’s long-term survival.
