General Secretary of the General Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU) of TUC-Ghana, Comrade Andrews Addoquaye Tagoe
In a startling statement released by the General Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU) of TUC-Ghana, which was signed by its General Secretary Comrade Andrews Addoquaye Tagoe, the union has warned that Ghana’s agricultural sector is facing a serious threat from illegal mining activities, commonly known as “galamsey.”
The organization emphasized that galamsey is pushing the nation towards a food security crisis, with devastating consequences for both the environment and the economy. The GAWU statement paints a dire picture of the current state of agriculture in the country. According to the union, food security, already a critical issue, is now one of the “scariest looming pandemics” Ghana faces, primarily due to galamsey. The activities of illegal miners, operating with little interference from state authorities, have wreaked havoc on agricultural land, leading to a scarcity of food and soaring prices.
The galamsey menace has also contributed to climate change and serious health implications, affecting not only the current population but also future generations. GAWU called on the government to intensify efforts to curb this menace before it spirals out of control. The destruction caused by galamsey is massive. According to GAWU, over 7,470 cluster categories of illegal mining operations exist across Ghana. These operations have severely damaged farmlands and water bodies, leaving informal workers in the agriculture sector vulnerable to job and income insecurity.
A recent report by ResearchGate highlighted that Ghana has lost approximately 2.5 million hectares of forest reserve to illegal mining, a devastating blow to the country’s biodiversity. “The environmental impact of galamsey is far-reaching, stripping away vegetation, topsoil, and destroying ecosystems that are critical for sustainable agriculture,” the statement read. The effects of deforestation and environmental degradation caused by illegal mining have undermined the nation’s potential for sustainable economic growth, particularly in the agricultural and forestry sectors. Galamsey’s impact on one of Ghana’s most vital cash crops—cocoa—has been particularly devastating. Cocoa farming, along with palm oil production, is the backbone of many rural households in the country. However, galamsey has forced many farmers to abandon their farmlands due to coercion or sheer frustration over the lack of action from authorities.
The GAWU statement warned that the damage to cocoa farms is unprecedented, with entire farmlands destroyed, resulting in unfavorable micro-climatic conditions for cocoa cultivation. The decline in cocoa and palm oil production is a significant blow to Ghana’s economy, as the nation is a leading exporter of these products. The GAWU is calling for a united front to tackle the galamsey menace. The union criticized the lack of effective intervention by state authorities and urged for stronger policies and enforcement to protect agricultural lands. The statement stressed that urgent steps are needed to safeguard Ghana’s food security, protect biodiversity, and secure the livelihoods of millions of farmers who depend on the land for survival.
As GAWU’s statement emphasizes, the threat posed by galamsey is not just an environmental or agricultural issue—it is a national crisis. If left unchecked, it will have long-term consequences on food security, economic growth, and the overall well-being of the country. The union’s rallying cry—”United We Till for Progress”—serves as a reminder that the fight against illegal mining requires collective action and immediate intervention from both government authorities and citizens alike. Ghana stands at a critical crossroads, and the actions taken now will determine the future of its agriculture, its environment, and its people.
