Illegal gold mines blamed for birth defects in Ghana
Galamsey gold rush leaves lasting scars on Ghana’s children and environment.
ACCRA, Ghana (MNTV) – The illegal gold mining industry in Ghana, known locally as galamsey, is causing a wave of birth defects and environmental devastation, according to an in-depth CNN investigation.
Mercury used by illegal miners has poisoned rivers and soil, with pregnant women exposed to contaminated water giving birth to children with severe deformities. Local residents report an increase in babies born with missing limbs, deformed faces, and neurological impairments.
“I drank the water because I had no choice,” said one mother, whose child was born with serious health issues. “Now my baby will suffer for life.”
Despite government crackdowns, illegal mining operations have exploded, driven by unemployment, poverty, and high global gold prices.
Weak enforcement and rampant corruption have allowed galamsey sites to flourish.
Environmentalists warn that mercury contamination could have irreversible effects on Ghana’s ecosystems, with fish and crops already showing dangerous levels of toxicity.
Health officials fear a looming public health disaster as cases of mercury poisoning rise.
Ghana’s government has promised stricter action, including military deployments to shut down illegal mines and rehabilitation projects to clean polluted rivers.
However, critics argue that without addressing the root causes — poverty and political complicity — the galamsey crisis will persist.
International organizations are also being urged to intervene, as much of the illegally mined gold ends up in global supply chains, fuelling luxury markets in Europe and Asia.
“The world must wake up to the human cost of illegal gold,” said a UN environment expert. “These are not just Ghana’s rivers and Ghana’s children. They are ours too.”
As the fight against galamsey continues, the health of a new generation hangs in the balance, a tragic reminder that the price of gold can be far higher than the world realizes.
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