Investigative Report by Alex Ababio
Environmental degradation in Ghana costs a staggering $6.3 billion annually, equivalent to nearly 11% of the country’s 2017 GDP. This is reported by World Bank’s Ghana Country Environmental Analysis (CEA),
These costs arise from various factors, such as air pollution, water pollution, plastics pollution, e-waste, poor land management, coastal erosion, overfishing, and the impacts of climate change.
Ghana’s impressive economic growth over the past decades has been fueled by the exploitation of its abundant natural resources. However, the environmental consequences of this growth cannot be overlooked.
Ghana’s environmental destruction caused by industrial activities and illegal mining which is commonly known as Galamsey is posing a severe threat to Ghana’s ecosystems, water bodies, and forests.
Air pollution, the leading environmental risk to public health, imposes a hefty economic burden of approximately $2 billion per year.
This air pollution is responsible for nearly 16,000 premature deaths annually with the elderly being the most vulnerable.
Significantly, more than half of the deaths caused by pneumonia in children under five are associated with air pollution.
Water pollution, another significant consequence of industrial and illegal mining activities, inflicts damage equivalent to 3% of Ghana’s GDP.
Moreover, another things identified to compound the situation are inadequate water supply, poor sanitation, and the discharge of toxic industrial waste into water systems which have severe health implications for the population.
Plastics pollution has reached crisis proportions, with over 3,000 metric tons of plastic waste produced daily.
Many factors including improper disposal of plastic waste clogs drainage systems and pollutes in the oceans have turned to exacerbating environmental degradation in Ghana .
The Agbogbloshie dumpsite, a major e-waste processing site, contributes to air pollution in Accra. These burning electronic parts release carcinogenic compounds into the air as toxic metals have been discovered to contaminate waterways and oceans.
It is estimated that the health costs associated with lead and mercury exposure amount to $440 million annually which leads to dangerous diseases and cognitive impairments in children.
Illegal mining activities, especially artisanal gold mining, exacerbate land degradation, costing Ghana over US$500 million per year. Additionally, deforestation amounts to $400 million annually, with five million hectares of forest lost between 2001 and 2015.
According to the report activities of Miners’ exposure to toxic mercury results in $240 million in health costs.
Coastal erosion is a pressing issue, with Ghana losing approximately 2.7 million square meters of shoreline each year. Eighty percent of the shoreline is actively eroding, posing a significant risk to coastal communities and UNESCO World Heritage sites. Overfishing, costing $233 million, threatens small pelagic fisheries and could lead to the loss of half a million jobs.
The Way Forward: AI as a Tool for Investigation and Mitigation:
Expert Perspectives:
According to Dr. Ama Kudom-Agyemang, an environmental scientist at the University office Ghana, “AI has the potential to revolutionize the way we tackle environmental challenges in Ghana.
There is the need to utilize a strict intervention with the use of the power of advanced technologies to ensure we work to improve our understanding of the environmental impact of mining activities so as to create tailored interventions for sustainable resource management practices in the country.” She stressed
“It is believed that Artificial intelligence can be leveraged as it presents a unique opportunity to investigate and mitigate the consequences of industrial and illegal mining projects in Ghana.
According to the experts AI algorithms can analyze vast amounts of data such as satellite imagery to help identify and monitor areas affected by mining activities.
“It is believed that the AI is built with ease to help detect illegal mining operations and provide early warnings of environmental degradation.
In addition , the AI is built with the capacity to aid in the development of predictive models to assess the potential impact of mining projects on ecosystems in the form of water bodies, and forests.
Policymakers will have to stimulate various scenarios to make sure that they can make informed decisions and implement preventive measures to protect”, She explained
Ghana’s natural resources.
To address the environmental challenges posed by industrial and illegal mining projects in Ghana, several recommendations are necessary:
Expert Perspectives:
According Dr. Kwame Boateng, an expert in natural resource governance, emphasizes the need for multi-stakeholder collaboration: “Addressing the environmental consequences of mining requires a collective effort involving government, mining companies, local communities, and civil society organizations. ”
Strengthen Enforcement and Regulation: The Ghanaian government should enhance enforcement mechanisms to curb illegal mining activities.
Dr. Kwame Boateng stated: ” The enforcement mechanism such as increasing penalties for offenders and ensuring strict adherence to existing environmental regulations.
Additionally, authorities should strengthen collaboration with local communities and law enforcement agencies to combat illegal mining effectively.
Invest in AI and Remote Sensing Technologies: Ghana should prioritize the adoption and implementation of AI and remote sensing technologies to monitor mining activities and identify potential areas of environmental degradation. ” ,he explained
He noted that the mechanism will provide timely interventions with the aim to significantly improve the efficiency of resource allocation to monitor and to reliase its purpose of enforcement.
Promote Sustainable Mining Practices:
Dr Kwame Boateng indicated that there is the need to encourage responsible mining practices which is crucial for minimizing the environmental impact of mining projects.
He Furthermore called on the government to endeavor to work closely with mining companies to guarantee the adoption of sustainable practices which include proper waste management, reforestation, and rehabilitation of mined areas.
” Another significant thing to do is to
Implement certification programs and provide incentives for environmentally friendly mining practices can further promote sustainability.” , he noted
The relevant agencies of Government should Increase Public Awareness and Participation:
Dr Kwame Boateng noted : “There is the need for the public to be educated to know the environmental consequences of mining activities and its impact on the socio economic development of their lives.
These awareness campaigns should be designed with the view to highlighting the importance of protecting natural resources and involving local communities in decision-making processes.
“Significantly, these public participations have the potential of ensuring better-informed policies and allow the inclusion of community perspectives in environmental management practices in Ghana
Strengthen Institutional Capacity: Ghana needs to enhance the capacity of institutions responsible for monitoring and regulating mining activities. This includes providing adequate training and resources to environmental agencies, improving data collection and analysis capabilities, and establishing robust monitoring and evaluation systems. Strengthening institutional capacity will enable effective oversight and enforcement of environmental regulations.
Collectively as the nation takes decision to work together, we can ensure the responsible and sustainable use of Ghana’s natural resources.”
From the evidence of physical destruction we see in several parts of the country, we know the environmental impact of industrial and illegal mining projects in Ghana poses significant economic, social, and health challenges in the country.
Significantly, to protect Ghana’s natural capital and promote sustainable growth immediate action is needed to forestall the challenges .
We now know that we have to Leverage AI and other technological advancements to play a vital role in investigating and mitigating the consequences of mining activities.
To complement the effort of AI, it is , however, essential to implement stringent regulations so as to promote sustainable mining practices, and enhance public awareness and participation.
As we adopt a holistic approach and work harder to strengthen institutional capacity, Ghana can pave the way for sustainable development and ensure to preserve its invaluable natural resources for future generations.” he emphasized