Galamsey: ‘Rivers that fed our grandparents now run the colour of chocolate milk’ – Sam Jonah
Renowned Ghanaian businessman and mining executive Sir Sam Jonah has warned that illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, is inflicting serious damage on the country’s natural resources, with far-reaching consequences for the economy, public health and the welfare of future generations.
Renowned Ghanaian businessman and mining executive Sir Sam Jonah has issued a dire warning about the devastating impact of illegal mining, also known as galamsey, on the country's natural resources. At the Methodist University Ghana International Conference 2026, Sir Sam expressed grave concerns over the deteriorating state of rivers, forests, and farmlands, attributing the pollution to galamsey activities.
He lamented that rivers once vital to the community now run "the colour of chocolate milk". The consequences of this pollution extend far beyond environmental degradation, threatening livelihoods, food production, biodiversity, and access to safe drinking water. Sir Sam emphasized that this pollution also places a heavier burden on water treatment systems and increases the cost of providing clean water to affected communities, posing a significant economic and public health concern.
He described the destruction as a glaring failure of stewardship and stressed that responsible conduct should encompass the management of money and talent as well as land and natural resources. "It is what happens when people gain all they can and forget Wesley’s condition about not hurting their neighbour. But stewardship is not only about the land.
It is also about money and talent," he added. Sir Sam's remarks were made at the conference organised to celebrate Methodist University Ghana's 25th anniversary.
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
