Gold Boom Raises Fresh Concerns Over Ghana’s Forests And Water Bodies

Story By: Zainab Ali

Rising global gold prices are intensifying concerns about the environmental impact of gold mining, including deforestation and water pollution in Ghana.

The report examines how the increased financial incentive to mine gold is putting pressure on ecologically sensitive areas in several parts of the world, including West Africa.
In Ghana, illegal small-scale mining remains a serious environmental concern because of damage to forests, polluted water bodies and the risks associated with mining chemicals.

Ghana established the Gold Board to strengthen oversight of the gold trade and address illegal gold smuggling. However, the Reuters report highlights continuing concerns about tracing the origins of gold and ensuring that minerals entering international markets are not linked to environmental destruction.

Environmental protection also presents an economic challenge. Some communities depend on small-scale mining for their livelihoods, particularly where farming provides insufficient income. Experts cited in the report argue that formalising mining, improving traceability and creating better economic alternatives for local communities could form part of a longer-term response.