“I Fear for My Life”: The Devastating Effect of Ghana’s Gold Rush
In Ghana, the world’s sixth-largest gold producer, a surge in gold prices has driven a gold rush, with hundreds of thousands of people working in small-scale, unlicensed gold mines. The mining industry has brought economic benefits to the country, but it has also had devastating consequences for the health and well-being of the miners and their communities.
A recent study found that nine out of 15 fetuses with birth defects were born to mothers who worked in illegal gold mines. The study’s lead researcher, Professor Paul Sampene Ossei, said that the pathologist’s sample size is too small to draw any clear conclusions, but he is concerned about the potential link between mining pollution and maternal health.
The mining industry in Ghana is plagued by a lack of regulation and oversight. Many miners use mercury and other heavy metals to extract gold, which can contaminate water and soil. The use of mercury is banned in Ghana, but it is still widely used.
Sarah Akosua, a 30-year-old miner, said that she knows the chemicals used in the mining process can be harmful, but she has no choice. She earns between $43 and $62 per week, depending on how much gold she finds.
The Ghanaian government has prohibited the use of mercury in gold mining and has provided mercury-free processing machines. However, the use of mercury is still widespread, and the government has been criticized for its lack of enforcement.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned of the dangers of mercury exposure, saying that it poses a “particular threat to the development of the child in utero and in early life.” The WHO has also urged the government to take urgent action to address the issue.
The Ghanaian government has introduced measures to curb illegal mining, including a ban on artisanal mining, but it has been lifted and many miners continue to operate illegally.
The situation is dire, with many miners and their families at risk of health problems and death. The government has been urged to take urgent action to address the issue, but it is a complex problem that will require a multifaceted solution.
As one miner said, “I believe that with God, everything is okay, and I won’t have any issues.” But the reality is that the mining industry in Ghana is a major public health concern, and urgent action is needed to protect the health and well-being of miners and their communities.