The menace of illegal mining, known as galamsey, has pushed Ghana into a state of what MP Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings has called “chemical warfare on an unprecedented scale.”

The Klottey Korle legislator, in a LinkedIn post, expressed her deep concerns over the impact of galamsey on Ghana’s natural resources, public health, and governance.

“I am haunted by the horrible images of the destruction to our water bodies and forests by galamsey. What we are seeing is the tip of the iceberg,” Dr Agyeman-Rawlings wrote, highlighting the ecological and public health crisis that illegal mining has caused across the country.

She suggested that if the Ghana Standards Authority were to test the country’s water bodies, both surface and underground, and report on the levels of toxins, the nation might come to fully appreciate the depth of the devastation.

“That includes borehole water!” she said, adding that galamsey is creating widespread environmental contamination that will have long-lasting consequences for all Ghanaians.

In her impassioned article, Dr Agyeman-Rawlings described the situation as “outright chemical warfare on an unprecedented scale,” stressing the horror of such destruction in a peaceful and democratic nation. “It is shameful, actually,” she added.

Pointing to the tangible impact on public health, Dr Agyeman-Rawlings warned of the alarming rise in kidney failure, cancers, infant mortality, birth defects, and water shortages.

She asked, “Are we waiting for famine in the midst of poisoned plenty before we realise the urgency with which we must address this?”

She fears that the crisis will only be addressed when it is far too late—when lives are already lost to the consequences of galamsey.

Dr Agyeman-Rawlings did not shy away from addressing the root cause of the problem: greed and corruption.

“The galamsey that’s feeding the insatiable greed of some people is being kept happily alive by corruption,” she noted, pointing a finger at the failure of the state to take decisive action.

“Once again, corruption and lack of accountability/consequences are threatening our very existence.”

In a searing critique of the government’s response, she questioned the relevance of the executive branch and law enforcement agencies in handling this crisis.

“Of what use are all the powers vested in the executive branch if not for a time such as this?” she asked.

“We cannot allow people to lose so much confidence in the State that we end up with a vacuum that breeds vigilantes who start to become crusaders for the protection of the environment and people.”

Describing galamsey as not just an environmental issue, but a “national security threat that has become a full-blown crisis,” Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings called for immediate action.

“It is time to act!!!” she exclaimed, cautioning against using the crisis as a mere political tool.

“For goodness’ sake, this is not to be used as a populist propaganda campaign for votes.”

Her call to action is a clear demand for the government to rise above the political fray and take urgent steps to protect the environment, public health, and future generations from the devastating impact of galamsey.

“For once, the right thing must be done in the interest of the present and future of the people and country we love so much!!!”