In 2015, world leaders came together to create a blueprint for a better future—the United Nations' Seventeen (17) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These 17 goals aim to ensure peace, prosperity and a healthy planet for all. In simple terms, the SDGs are about creating a world where:

We fear Ghana's quest for sustainable development has been ruthlessly undermined by the persistence of galamsey. This illicit mining menace is not only ravaging our environment, but also threatening the very foundations of our nation's progress. As we strive to achieve the UN's SDGs galamsey's insidious impact continue to jeopardize our chances of success. From polluting our water sources to destroying our forests, galamsey's consequences are a stark reminder of the urgent need for collective action.

Here, we highlight how Ghana's leaders have deliberately hindered progress toward the SDGs through Galamsey:

While galamsey provides short-term economic benefits to marginalized communities, it has also proven to perpetuate poverty in the long run. Environmental degradation depletes natural resources, particularly land and water, which are essential for agriculture—the primary source of income for rural communities. This leads to reduced crop yields and diminished food security, trapping communities in a cycle of poverty. Ultimately, the unchecked exploitation of galamsey benefits a privileged few at the expense of Ghana's long-term prosperity, exacerbating national poverty levels. It is no surprise that the grip of poverty tightens on Ghana each day.

Illegal mining activities destroy fertile soil and contaminate water sources, making land unfit for cultivation as in the case of Ghana. This directly affects food security, as agriculture is vital to both the economy and food supply in Ghana. The contamination of water bodies with heavy metals also affects fish populations, further reducing food availability.

The health impacts of galamsey are profound. Miners and nearby communities are exposed to hazardous chemicals like mercury and cyanide, leading to respiratory disorders, kidney problems and other health issues. Water pollution from mining activities also contributes to the spread of waterborne diseases, affecting overall public health. This SDG is gravely impaired as we continue to experience a rise in kidney and heart related diseases across the country.

Children in mining communities often abandon school to work in the mines, leading to high dropout rates and low educational attainment. The economic lure of galamsey undermines efforts to provide quality education and perpetuates a cycle of poverty and lack of opportunities.

Women and girls in mining communities face significant risks, including sexual exploitation and gender-based violence. The hazardous working conditions and lack of access to education and healthcare disproportionately affect women, hindering progress towards gender equality.

Galamsey activities heavily pollute water bodies with toxic chemicals, making water unsafe for drinking and irrigation. Alarmingly, as of October 2024, all major water bodies in Ghana have been contaminated. Even the Densu River, once considered a pristine exception, has now fallen victim to pollution, with recent observations showing disturbing brown discoloration. This not only affects human health but also disrupts ecosystems and biodiversity. The lack of clean water and proper sanitation facilities exacerbates health issues in affected communities.

The environmental degradation caused by galamsey, including deforestation and soil erosion, affects the availability of natural resources needed for sustainable energy solutions. The focus on illegal mining diverts attention and resources away from developing clean and affordable energy infrastructure.

The activities of galamsey in Ghana is only done under hazardous and exploitative conditions, lacking safety measures and fair wages. This undermines efforts to promote decent work and sustainable economic growth. The environmental damage caused by galamsey also hinders long-term economic development.

The focus on illegal mining detracts from investments in sustainable industrial development and infrastructure. The environmental damage caused by galamsey, such as deforestation and water pollution, also undermines the development of resilient infrastructure and innovation.

Galamsey exacerbates social and economic inequalities. The benefits of illegal mining are often concentrated among a few greedy people in Ghana, while the negative impacts, such as environmental degradation and health issues, disproportionately affects every other person in their communities. This deepens existing inequalities and hinders efforts to create a more equitable society.

The environmental degradation caused by galamsey, including deforestation and water pollution, affects the sustainability of urban and rural communities. The influx of people into mining areas also leads to the development of informal settlements with inadequate infrastructure and services.

Illegal mining practices are inherently unsustainable, leading to the depletion of natural resources and environmental degradation. This undermines efforts to promote responsible consumption and production patterns, which are essential for sustainable development.

Deforestation and land degradation caused by galamsey contribute to climate change by increasing carbon emissions and reducing the capacity of forests to act as carbon sinks. The environmental damage also makes communities more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, such as flooding and soil erosion.

Water pollution from galamsey activities severely affects aquatic ecosystems. The discharge of heavy metals and other pollutants into rivers and streams destroys fish habitats and reduces biodiversity. This not only affects the livelihoods of fishing communities but also disrupts the balance of marine ecosystems.

Illegal mining leads to deforestation, habitat destruction, and soil degradation, which threaten terrestrial ecosystems and biodiversity. The loss of forests and natural habitats undermines efforts to protect and restore ecosystems and to promote sustainable land use.

The illegal nature of galamsey fosters corruption, weakens the rule of law and undermines governance particularly in Ghana. The lack of regulation and enforcement allows illegal mining to flourish, leading to conflicts over land and resources and eroding trust in institutions.

The pervasive nature of galamsey undermines efforts to build partnerships for sustainable development. The environmental and social impacts of illegal mining create challenges for collaboration between governments, civil society and the private sector in achieving the SDGs.

As the world strives to achieve the SDGs by 2030, we cannot afford to let galamsey undermine our collective progress. The devastating effects of illegal mining transcend national borders, threatening regional and global environmental security, health and economic stability. We urge the United Nations and all neighboring countries to join forces in condemning this persisting menace. As signatories to the SDGs, we recognize that our accountability is not only to our citizens but also to each other. The failure of one country to address galamsey has far-reaching consequences, compromising the achievements of others.