Ghana’s failure to decisively tackle illegal mining could expose the country to accusations of complicity in violent extremism and terrorism in the Sahel, the Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, has warned.
She said proceeds from illegal mining were allegedly being used to finance terrorism and violent extremism in parts of the Sahel, warning that Ghana must act to prevent the country from being associated with such activities.
“We also know of the fact that a lot of the resources from illegal mining are feeding violent extremism and terrorism in the Sahel,” she said.
Dr Agyeman-Rawlings cautioned: “Let it not be said that Ghana has become complicit in violent extremism and terrorism by not handling the canker of illegal mining.”
She was speaking at a national conference on small-scale mining for Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) in Kumasi.
The Minister also warned that pollution of shared river systems was damaging Ghana’s relations with neighbouring countries.
“Earlier this year, concerns over pollution in Tano and Bia rivers raised questions about the movement of contaminated waters across our borders into Côte d’Ivoire. This should remind us that illegal mining is not just an environmental challenge within our jurisdiction. It has implications for our regional relations and national security,” she said.
She stressed that Ghana could not afford to take its peace and stability for granted.
“It may seem that trouble may never come to Ghana because God has been so gracious to Ghana; let’s not tempt fate, let’s act now,” she added.
Dr Agyeman-Rawlings further warned that the destruction of forest reserves and pollution of water bodies through galamsey were undermining food security and exposing future generations to serious health risks.
She insisted that the country must not sacrifice agriculture, water security and other vital economic sectors in pursuit of gold.
Describing local government as critical to the fight against illegal mining, she said: “Local government is the pillar holding our republic up; when it disintegrates, that will be the end of our democracy.”