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Galamsey’s Toxic Legacy: Apart from the Environmental toll, These Are the Medical and Social Cost of Illegal Mining in Ghana

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As Ghana grapples with the persistent scourge of illegal small-scale mining, known locally as galamsey, a growing body of evidence reveals a devastating human cost.

Beyond the visible scars on the landscape—polluted rivers and deforested lands—the use of dangerous chemicals like mercury, cyanide, and arsenic is inflicting profound medical and social harms on communities, threatening public health and social fabric across mining regions.

Image Credit: Eco Amet Solutions

In the Western Region, where galamsey operations have intensified despite government crackdowns, residents like those in Amenfi Central report a surge in health issues linked to chemical exposure.

A 2024 study published in the Journal of Water and Health by IWA Publishing found that illegal mining activities along rivers like the Oda have contaminated water sources with heavy metals, elevating risks of waterborne diseases such as typhoid and cholera. The Coalition Against Typhoid highlighted in 2023 that such pollution disrupts water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) systems, leading to outbreaks that disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, including children and the elderly.

Diana Agyeiwaa and her daughter Jemah outside their home in Samreboi. Image: CNN

Mercury, a staple in gold extraction processes, poses one of the most insidious threats. Research from MDPI’s International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2016, with ongoing relevance) documented elevated mercury levels in water and sediments in districts like Prestea-Huni Valley, resulting in neurological disorders, kidney damage, and mercury poisoning symptoms such as tremors and cognitive impairments.

A CNN investigative report from recent years linked galamsey to increased maternal deaths, miscarriages, and birth defects, with women in mining areas facing heightened risks due to bioaccumulation of toxins in food chains. The report revealed that murky brown toxic wastewater from dozens of unregulated mines now fouls Ghana’s Tano River, a 400-kilometer (248-mile) lifeline that flows into neighboring Ivory Coast and the Atlantic Ocean.

Thirty-eight-year-old Diana Agyeiwaa told CNN the water’s ruin is personal. A nursing mother who once drank from the river and ate its fish, she began to suspect poisoning after developing severe childbirth complications last year. She now keeps her distance, terrified for herself and her infant daughter.

“I fear for my life,” she said. “I fear if I give that water to her, she will die.”

Agyeiwaa, who works at a local radio station, believes her community is suffering in silence:

“I met one woman when she delivered a baby; its nose was half. I’ve seen a lot of deformities in babies.”

The toxic flow shows no signs of stopping, leaving a trail of fear and suspected illness in its wake. PubMed’s 2025 systematic review further connects exposure to fertility issues, including decreased sperm count, motility, and hormonal imbalances in men, alongside ovarian disruptions in women. There have been deformities in newborns linked to the toxicity of the water.

“I met one woman when she delivered a baby; its nose was half. I’ve seen a lot of deformities in babies,” Agyeiwaa told CNN

Arsenic contamination, as detailed in a 2025 study in the African Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, exacerbates these woes, causing skin lesions, cancers, and cardiovascular diseases. Scientific Reports (2025) assessed lead and mercury in crops at abandoned galamsey sites, warning of long-term food safety risks that could lead to widespread poisoning. Child laborers, often drawn into the mines, suffer acutely: A 2013 U.S. Department of Labor report, updated with recent data, notes respiratory problems, burns, and itchy eyes from chemical handling, compounding issues like musculoskeletal injuries from hazardous work.

Socially, galamsey’s ripple effects are equally alarming. A 2024 SERVIR West Africa analysis of eastern Ghana’s mining sites revealed high levels of violence, drug abuse, and community fragmentation, fueled by transient workers and economic desperation. The U.N. Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) initiative on restoring polluted areas underscores how chemical runoff erodes livelihoods, displacing farmers and fostering poverty cycles. University of Ghana’s 2023 biennial lecture by the College of Health Sciences decried the ecological devastation, linking it to social unrest and national security threats, as outlined in a DTIC report.

Experts like Dr. Edith Clarke from the Ghana Health Service advocate for stricter enforcement, including drone surveillance as proposed by Western Regional Minister Joseph Nelson. Community-led efforts, such as those by Eco Amet Solutions, aim to raise awareness, but without comprehensive regulation, the cycle persists.

Just like under previous administrations, Ghana is making another push to end the dangerous mining practices and achieve environmental restoration under the current John Mahama administration. But while the country waits to get a full picture of the success of this news push, the human stories — from families mourning lost pregnancies to villages battling chronic illnesses — show the urgent need for action.

Galamsey’s glitter may promise quick wealth, but its toxic shadow endangers generations.

Ghana News

MTN Ghana Reveals Massive Fiber Cable Sabotage Crisis Disrupting 157 Network Sites

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Accra, Ghana – MTN Ghana’s Chief Executive Officer Stephen Blewett has raised serious concerns about the escalating wave of fiber-optic cable sabotage and damage, revealing that recent incidents have knocked 157 network sites offline and severely degraded service for millions of customers across the country.

Speaking at the MTN Ghana Accra Media and Stakeholder Forum on April 17, 2026, Blewett described fiber cuts as one of the biggest operational challenges currently facing the company.

He explained that because fiber cables serve as the critical backbone linking multiple cell towers to the core network, a single cut — often caused by road construction or deliberate theft — can trigger widespread connectivity failures across entire suburbs and commercial areas.

“It’s not really just talking about cutting fiber to someone’s home,” he said. “When you cut fiber, you bring down all those sites, and that’s problematic.”

The disruptions are driven by two main factors: uncoordinated road expansion works and acts of vandalism or theft. Blewett noted that such incidents are not minor inconveniences but major threats to reliability, affecting businesses, hospitals, emergency services, and everyday users.

Despite MTN’s heavy investment in 4G and 5G infrastructure, the physical vulnerability of the fiber network continues to undermine service quality.

The CEO called for fiber-optic cables to be classified as Critical National Infrastructure to impose stricter legal penalties and urged better coordination between construction agencies and telecom operators.

As Ghana pushes its Digital Ghana agenda, analysts say resolving this “perennial headache” is essential for maintaining a robust and reliable digital economy.

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Ghana News

Woman Demands GH¢150,000 from UK ‘Borga’, MTN Reveals Massive Fiber Sabotage and Other Big Stories in Ghana Today

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We are bringing you the most relevant stories from Ghana today to keep you updated. Stories include an interesting dispute between a woman and her UK-based partner, revelations about major telecom infrastructure sabotage, health alerts on Mpox, and other key national developments.

Woman Demands GH¢150,000 from UK ‘Borga’ After He Allegedly Failed to Marry Her
Esther Latebia, a mother of two from Kasoa, is demanding GH¢150,000 in compensation from Mr Osei, a UK-based Ghanaian known locally as a “borga,” after he allegedly failed to honour his promise of marriage following a six-year romantic relationship conducted mainly through video calls. According to her account shared on Nhyira FM’s Obra Show, Mr Osei promised to build her a house, buy her a taxi for work, waive her rent until the house was completed, and support her two children until they completed tertiary education or found jobs. He also promised to marry her as his second wife. After six years, he reportedly changed his mind and withdrew all commitments, leaving her feeling used and seeking redress.
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A Muslim Woman’s Vision of the Second Coming of Jesus: A 30-Year Burden Finally Told
A 69-year-old Muslim woman from Ghana has finally shared a powerful spiritual vision she received in the 1990s about the second coming of Jesus Christ, a 30-year secret she kept due to fear, community pressure, and misunderstanding from both Muslims and Christians. In the vision, she stood in a massive global market where people were trading gold, diamonds, and engaging in various activities when a divine presence behind her instructed her to tell the world that “Jesus Christ is coming — very soon.” Despite the urgent message echoing across the market, no one seemed to notice or listen. The experience left her in uncontrollable tears the next morning, leading to years of isolation as she struggled to understand why, as a Muslim, she would receive such a message.
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157 Sites Disrupted – MTN CEO Reveals Massive Scale of Fibre Cable Sabotage
MTN Ghana CEO Stephen Blewett has revealed that recent fibre-optic cable sabotage has knocked 157 network sites offline, causing widespread connectivity failures across multiple suburbs and affecting millions of customers. Speaking at the MTN Ghana Accra Media and Stakeholder Forum on April 17, 2026, he described fibre cuts — caused by uncoordinated road construction and deliberate theft or vandalism — as a “serious threat” to seamless service delivery. The interconnected nature of the infrastructure means a single cut can bring down numerous cell towers, disrupting businesses, hospitals, and emergency services. MTN is advocating for fibre-optic cables to be classified as “Critical National Infrastructure” to impose stricter penalties and is calling for better coordination of construction schedules.
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CHASS Warns Schools May Shut Down Over Free SHS Feeding Crisis
The Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS) has warned that many Senior High Schools could be forced to shut down if the current crisis in the Free SHS feeding programme is not urgently addressed. School heads report severe delays in the release of feeding grants, leaving them unable to provide meals for students and forcing some schools to rely on credit from suppliers. The situation has created significant operational challenges and raised concerns about the sustainability of the flagship education policy. CHASS is calling on the government to release outstanding funds immediately to prevent further disruption to academic activities.
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Ghana’s NTEs Hit $5.006 Billion in 2025
Ghana’s Non-Traditional Exports (NTEs) reached a record $5.006 billion in 2025, representing a more than 30% increase compared to the previous year, according to the Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare. Launching the 2025 Ghana Export Promotion Authority report in Accra, the minister described the growth as strong evidence that the country’s export diversification agenda is gaining momentum. NTEs now account for about 16% of Ghana’s total export earnings, signalling a gradual shift away from heavy dependence on traditional commodities like gold, oil, and cocoa. The government continues to support exporters through improved production capacity, quality standards, and access to finance via the Ghana EXIM Bank.
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Vice President Opoku-Agyemang in Spain to Participate in Fourth High-Level Meeting
Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has arrived in Barcelona, Spain, to participate in the Fourth High-Level Meeting of the Initiative “In Defence of Democracy.” She was received by members of the Ghanaian community in Spain, led by Ghana’s Ambassador to Spain, Madam Kalsoume Sinare Baffoe. The Vice President is expected to join global leaders in high-level discussions focused on strengthening democratic governance and advancing collective efforts to safeguard democratic values worldwide.
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Ghana Health Service Confirms Over 1,000 Cases of Mpox
The Ghana Health Service has confirmed four new cases of Mpox, bringing the national total to 1,062 as of April 11, 2026. No new hospital admissions have been recorded, while the death toll remains at eight. Surveillance is ongoing across all 16 regions, with health teams actively monitoring to prevent further spread. Mpox is transmitted mainly through close physical contact, and the public has been advised to maintain strict hygiene, avoid contact with unusual rashes, and seek early medical care for flu-like symptoms.
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Ghana to Open New Embassy in Singapore in Bid To Strengthen Trade Ties with Asia

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Accra, Ghana – The Government of Ghana has formally initiated high-level diplomatic engagements with Singapore to establish a permanent embassy in the Asian financial and technology hub, marking a strategic expansion of its global diplomatic presence.

The announcement follows a working visit by a Ghanaian delegation led by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs James Gyakye Quayson to Singapore from April 10 to 15, 2026.

During discussions with Singapore’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Social and Family Development, Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim, Ghana officially conveyed its intention to open a resident mission.

The proposed embassy aims to enhance consular services for Ghanaian nationals, facilitate trade and investment flows, and deepen institutional cooperation in technology, capacity building, and economic development.

This move forms part of a broader foreign policy drive by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to establish new diplomatic missions and permanent chanceries in strategic locations, while reducing heavy reliance on rented premises that currently cost the state around $15 million annually.

Earlier commitments outlined at the 2025 Conference of Heads of Mission include opening missions in Massachusetts (USA), Dublin (Ireland), Lisbon (Portugal), and Singapore by 2026. Recent developments under this agenda include the opening of a new chancery in Ethiopia in February and planned missions in Brazil, Trinidad and Tobago, Serbia, and Hungary.

Singaporean authorities welcomed the proposal and expressed strong commitment to expanding bilateral ties with Ghana. Officials from both sides see the new mission as a platform to boost South-South cooperation and tap into Asia’s dynamic economic opportunities.

The establishment of the embassy is expected to be completed within the government’s 2026 diplomatic expansion timeline.

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