Abstract
Using googles scholar search engine, the phrase “Galamsey activities in Ghana” gave average results of about 3,160 articles from the 19th century through to present. This tells us the scholarly work done on the galamsey and its menace. The breath and length of galamsey inherent attention, through research works. But it is ironic to say that because as of September 2024 the entire nation is crying for a state of emergency and seeking intervention to stop galamsey operation, but the government is silent. This case study research focuses on the key research areas concerning galamsey such as analytical chemical research, social and political to argue the work done using the narrative approach. From the case study it can be concluded that the scholars have done their part to showcase the dangers associated with galamsey such as high concentration of heavy metals in the waters bodies that is namely Mercury (Hg), Cyanide (CN), Cadmium (Cd), Arsenic (As), Lead Pb), Manganese (Mn), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn) and Iron (Fe) and degrading of soil, the land and health with air contamination concerns. Recent development from health services at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in the Ashanti region recorded deformities in babies born to parents living in galamsey environments which is due to heavy metal poisoning during pregnancy. Ghana Water Company which is the main water treating company in the country has failed to treat the polluted water due to over polluted water and breakdown of the water treating instruments. This is clear as treated tap waters from Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) have the same brown color (turbidity) as the polluted rivers. It finally concluded galamsey is still in operation due to political and legal imbalance from the major political parties in Ghana namely National Democratic Congress Party (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) including landowners or chiefs. This case study underscores this galamsey case to the entire nations in Africa and the world to investigate this matter, suggest routes and aid to sustain the Ghanaian sustainable environment.
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