‘We Cannot Eat Gold’: Zanetor Warns Against Sacrificing Environment for Mining

Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, Ghana's Minister for Environment, Science and Technology and Member of Parliament for the Korle Klottey Constituency, cautioned against placing gold extraction ahead of environmental conservation. Speaking at a climate forum in Accra on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, she emphasized that the nation risks losing its natural resources once its gold deposits are depleted. "We cannot eat gold," she stated, highlighting the importance of valuing the environment alongside its mineral wealth.

Dr Agyeman-Rawlings warned that continued destructive mining would eventually exhaust gold deposits, leaving the country with little to show for its efforts. "The gold will get finished at some point, and when it does, and our environment is destroyed, we will have nothing," she cautioned.

The remarks came as concerns over the environmental impact of illegal mining, known as galamsey, escalated. Illegal mining has led to the pollution of water bodies, destruction of forests, and degradation of farmlands. Dr Agyeman-Rawlings urged Ghanaians to refrain from demanding the release of those arrested for illegal mining, stressing that accountability is crucial for effectively addressing the mining crisis.

She questioned why members of the public would advocate for suspected illegal miners when their activities jeopardize their livelihoods, the environment they reside in, and the well-being of surrounding communities. Dr Agyeman-Rawlings called for increased public support in safeguarding Ghana’s natural resources, asserting that environmental preservation must remain a top priority to secure the nation's future.