Western Region Is The Capital Of Galamsey in Ghana – Edem Srem

Freelance journalist Edem Srem has raised concerns about the destruction of Ghana’s water bodies caused by illegal mining, commonly referred to as ‘galamsey’.

The decline in the quality of water bodies and vegetation in various regions is linked to the activities associated with ‘galamsey’.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has faced substantial criticism for his perceived lack of effective action in addressing the issue.

During an interview on The Point of View on Citi TV, hosted by Bernard Avle, Mr. Srem highlighted the Western Region as the epicenter of illegal mining.

He named Wassa Dadieso, Wassa Jaman, Wassa Japa, Wassa Bepo, and Tarkwa as the primary ‘galamsey’ hotspots in the region.

“As we speak, the Western Region is the worst place for ‘galamsey’. I call it the ‘galamsey’ capital of Ghana. You have Wassa Dadieso, Wassa Jaman, Wassa Japa, Wassa Bepo, Tarkwa itself, and almost all the places around the Bogoso-Ayanfuri highway road. You have a lot of illegal miners there,” he stated.

Srem lamented the destruction of forest lands near the Bogoso-Ayanfuri highway due to these activities.

“The forest lands close to Bogoso-Ayanfuri highway road have been destroyed,” he lamented.

Srem expressed distress over the destruction of forest lands near the Bogoso-Ayanfuri highway as a result of these activities.

In discussing the situation in Dadieso, he pointed out that approximately 50 to 60 changfan machines are operated by around 200 young miners.

“The miners use alluvial changfan to do the processing. There are about 200 young people, some of them are from the town, but some of them are not from Dadieso; they are from all over the country, from the North, South.”

When questioned about where the illegal miners go after finishing their operations, he mentioned that they typically indulge in spending sprees within the town.

“They live in Dadieso town, so in the evening, when they close and you go to the town, they describe it as hot, the town becomes hot, it means the boys come with money to spend. They spend most of their money there, and girls there enjoy a lot. They stay there for the mining; when they are done, they move to another place, and the town becomes a ghost town,” Srem stated.

The freelance journalist also criticized the dangerous use of mercury in mining processes, highlighting the health risks posed to the miners.

“They use mercury in the mining, which is another dangerous thing that is happening in small-scale mining.”