Ghana Confronts Multi-Billion Dollar Challenge to Restore Land Ravaged by Unlawful Mining

Professor Nana Browne Klutse, the interim head of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), has sounded the alarm. Calling the situation an emergency, she reaches out to international partners, urging them to support Ghana’s reclamation efforts. But what does it mean when land crying out for healing is left unattended due to financial constraints?

In a recent dialogue with the Ghana News Agency, Professor Klutse shared how a World Bank initiative had managed to reclaim some land—though, regrettably, only on a pilot scale. “The need for more substantial financial backing to escalate these efforts is imperative,” she explained, a hint of urgency in her voice.

“We’ve been approached by enterprises eager to assist in land restoration,” she revealed, “yet the catch is, post-pilot, Ghana must shoulder the technology costs.” Isn’t it ironic that help comes with strings attached?

Further elaborating on the issue, Professor Klutse stressed the need for mining companies to commit to a financial bond aimed at land reclamation before receiving their permits. It seems logical, doesn’t it, considering that many exploiters have come and gone, leaving devastation in their wake?

She expressed frustration over the activities of rogue miners who have plundered vast territories, leaving behind a trail of destruction. “Currently, we are staring at deserted tracts of defiled land,” she lamented, “and restoring them seems a formidable task, given our fiscal limitations.”

Strengthening Monitoring and Enforcement

With the enactment of the Environmental Protection Act 2025 (Act 1124), the EPA is shifting gears. Now recognized as an authority, plans are afoot to fortify monitoring and enforcement processes.

Aiming for granular oversight, the EPA wants to set up district-level offices. Why is this vital? Enhanced oversight means better public education and stricter enforcement of environmental guidelines.

“Our current supervision may seem lax, but soon, we’ll extend our presence to local districts. Our role? To educate, regulate, and when necessary, penalize,” Professor Klutse affirmed confidently.

She sought to reassure Ghanaians that the restoration of contaminated water bodies is on the horizon, although it might be a long journey.

The Devastating Impact of Illegal Mining

In Southern Ghana, illegal gold mining has left its mark, particularly in resource-rich areas like the Upper Offin sub-basin. What was once lush and fertile land is now scarred by human greed.

A study by the International Water Management Institute paints a grim picture: flourishing cocoa plantations and dense forests are now mere memories. The legacy? Severe land degradation, dwindling agricultural productivity, and water pollution.

In 2024, the Centre for Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Services revealed an astonishing fact: illegal mining had ravaged over 670 square kilometers of land—comparable in size to Singapore.

Water Pollution and Public Health Concerns

Illegal mining has shot water turbidity levels through the roof. This isn’t just murky water; it’s a threat to water quality, ecosystems, and public health.

In March 2024, Ghana Water Limited highlighted the monumental challenges in providing clean water to Sekondi-Takoradi residents, all stemming from this rampant water turbidity.

The Daboase Water Treatment Plant was built to handle a turbidity of 100 Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU). Now, it faces levels soaring to 7,000 NTU—a staggering increase.

Some regions have reported turbidity readings reaching 14,000 NTU. Consider this against the backdrop of a mere 2,000 NTU safety limit, and the crisis becomes clear.

The onslaught of sedimentation and toxins has escalated water treatment costs, leading to frequent machinery failures. Many communities have been driven to seek alternative sources, often risky or prohibitively expensive.

Health Risks and Environmental Damage

The pollution from illicit mining isn’t just an environmental crisis—it’s a health catastrophe. Connections have been drawn to kidney failures, birth anomalies, and cancer. Moreover, elevated turbidity levels encourage harmful algae blooms, disrupting aquatic life and food chains.

Rivers such as the Pra, Ankobra, Birim, Offin, Densu, and Oti have borne the brunt of illegal mining, endangering human lives and wildlife.

The Way Forward

Ghana stands at a crossroads. Can it reclaim its battered environment? With determined funding, stringent enforcement, and public collaboration, there’s hope. A daunting path, indeed, but not one without a map.

It calls for synergy between the government, environmental agencies, and global partners. The mission: to mitigate damage and devise sustainable land and water management strategies for the long haul.

The EPA continues to broadcast its SOS, emphasizing that inaction could lead to irreversible environmental and economic damage. Time is of the essence. Will the world heed Ghana’s call?

Edited By Ali Musa Axel Times International–Monitoring