In a chilling revelation on the popular GhanAkoma Show on Akoma FM with Sir John, a former illegal miner, Chris, has lifted the veil on the harsh realities of the illegal mining (galamsey) business in Ghana.
He detailed the environmental devastation, human toll, and dangerous rituals that are all part of the underworld of illicit mining.
Having worked from 2011, Chris’ firsthand account exposes the grim truth behind a practice that has ravaged the country’s water bodies and lands.
Chris explains how illegal miners source clean water for their activities but pump the waste into different rivers, polluting them in the process.
“There are no mining companies that don’t destroy our water bodies; all licensed miners destroy them,” he said, suggesting the problem extends beyond illegal operations. However, he emphasized that “Ghetto mining,” a treacherous style of mining, is the only one that does not destroy land or water.
Reflecting on his personal experiences, Chris revealed that miners face severe hardships, despite working tirelessly. “I decided to stop because I’ve been working for years but don’t get anything from it,” he admitted. But their work is somehow addictive.
He described the dangerous initiation practices, saying, “They baptize us with the gala water… So we can’t stop the galamsey job. We only work for the sponsors not for ourselves.”
The hardships go beyond the work itself. Chris shared that food is expensive at galamsey sites, and miners like him take home as little as 300 cedis per day as the outcome of endangering their lives.
To endure the grueling conditions, workers rely on energy drinks and even turn to drugs. “Our bosses bring the drugs on site to sell to us on credit which is later deducted from our pay. Despite years of hard labour, Chris painfully admits, “I can’t remember saving anything since.”
But the dangers of the job aren’t limited to financial instability. Chris says he has personally witnessed more than 60 deaths at mining sites, many of which are tied to the hazardous conditions and rituals involved in the business.
“We know the business is a do-or-die issue, we have this in mind,” he said, revealing the grim reality that miners accept the risks they face each day.
The damaging effects of galamsey aren’t limited to the environment and workers. Chris shared that marriages often suffer due to the nature of the work.
His own wake-up call came during a visit to his wife when they struggled to find potable water to drink. “What made me change my mind not to engage in the business is because I’ve realized the damages it’s causing,” he confessed, describing the moment he realized the true cost of his years in the illegal mining industry.
In a damning statement, Chris confirmed that politicians are involved in the galamsey business, adding yet another layer of complexity to a deeply entrenched issue. For many workers, the unavailability of jobs and severe economic hardship leave them with little to no choice but to continue destroying the land, even while knowing the consequences.
Chris’ revelations serve as a sobering reminder of the dangers and long-lasting impacts of illegal mining, not only on the environment but also on the lives of those who are ensnared in its grip.
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