Ghana has regained its position as Africa's top gold producer, with a 32% increase in gold output last year. According to the Ghana Chamber of Mines, this uptick was seen in both small-scale and large-scale mining.
Despite this milestone, Ghana is facing an environmental disaster due to the rise of illegal gold mining. Illegal activities have destroyed the country's forests and rivers, and pose a major threat to the health of mining communities.
Although small-scale mining, or "galamsey," has been a source of livelihood for many unemployed youth in southern Ghana, it is damaging the country's economic development, President Nana Akufo-Addo has warned.
"Even though a lot has been achieved in this area between 2017 and 2021, illegal small-scale mining remains a challenge and continues to pose a threat to our very survival. But we cannot rest while these illegalities still persist," the Ghanaian leader told the media last month.
Environmental degradation has also seriously threatened Ghana's cocoa sector, one of the West African nation's main sources of hard currency, as farms are destroyed to make way for illegal mining.
Experts warn that Ghana may soon have to import drinking water if the environmental degradation is not stopped.
South Africa overtook Ghana as Africa's largest gold producer in 2021 due to a sharp drop in production. Ghana's decline in gold production has been attributed to several factors, including reduced investment in the sector, illegal mining activities and environmental concerns.
In recent years, the country has taken steps to address these issues by launching initiatives to attract more investment and cracking down on illegal mining activities.
In addition, the government has taken measures to protect the environment while increasing gold production. The authorities have also taken a military approach by deploying soldiers to mining areas.
However, in the last quarter of 2022, Ghana's economy grew faster than expected, despite heavy debt, rising interest rates, and inflation of over 40%. The Ghana Chamber of Mines reported that the country produced 3.7 million ounces (about 105 metric tons) of gold in 2022, up from 2.8 million ounces last year.