The Inconvenient Truth: Gold Isn't the Curse – Greed and Materialism Are!

…TheRivers are fading, farms are struggling, and future generations are forced to consume and drink the consequences of their forebears' actions.

By Professor Douglas BOATENG

It starts as a hole in the ground but ultimately becomes an open grave with polluted rivers, tainted farmlands, a public health emergency, and weakened national independence. Ghana's unlawful gold mining problem, referred to locally as Galamsey, has evolved far beyond a criminal economy. What began as small-scale panning has expanded into a shadow industry valued at a minimum of one billion dollars.

Equipped with excavators, mercury, drones, and outside funding, Galamsey has gone beyond causing environmental harm. It is eroding rural economies, weakening institutions, and threatening the future of Ghana's youth. Even after years of high-profile initiatives, such as Operation Vanguard, Halt, NAIMOS, and thousands of arrests since 2016, the damage continues. The machinery comes back. The rivers become darker. And the people keep enduring the hardship.The harsh reality is that the government cannot triumph in this conflict by itself.This goes beyond a law enforcement issue. It represents a societal breakdown, a lack of effective governance, and a humanitarian crisis that will affect the most vulnerable the hardest.

Dirty waters, polluted soil – the effects of the future

In the Eastern and Western regions of Ghana, rivers like the Birim, Pra, Ankobrah, and Offin are now carrying sludge, mercury, and cyanide. The Ghana Water Company has raised concerns that the nation might soon need to import clean water. Craters have taken the place of cocoa farms. Cattle herders are looking for safe areas to water their animals. Fishing communities catch silt. Wells provide water that is chemically polluted. When water is not safe to drink and soil is not fertile, no crops grow, no livestock survives, and no country can endure. Once a symbol of food and water security in the region, Ghana is now moving dangerously toward ecological bankruptcy.

Foreign influence, local support and secrecy

The most tragic irony is this: the worst offenders would never carry out such actions in their own nations. International-backed groups, typically more equipped than local police forces, breach Ghana's environmental standards in ways that would be impossible under the regulations of their home countries. However, they do not act alone. The unfortunate truth is that a network of local, intricate, and self-interested partners facilitates their activities:

• Citizensthose who remain quiet due to fear or monetary benefit
• Chiefs who lease sacred land
• Security officerswho ignore the situation
• Politicianswho gains from the earnings

The inconvenient truth –These external entities will leave with their pockets full. Ghana will be left with contaminated wells, deteriorating environments, and a generation that grows up sick. This is more than just illegal mining; it represents the commercialization of Ghana's spirit, being sold off piece by piece for another's prosperity.

The hidden expense – a significant long-term health issue emerging

In mining areas, clinics are observing a rise in mercury poisoning, breathing difficulties, pregnancy losses, and brain-related injuries, particularly affecting children and expectant mothers. These harmful substances won't be visible at voting booths, yet they will manifest in special education facilities, overburdened medical centers, and throughout families trapped in poverty. Galamsey is not only harming the land; it is subtly changing the country's biological makeup. This issue extends beyond rural zones; it represents a nationwide crisis. Ghanaians might not fully realize the consequences today, but in two decades, hospitals, educational institutions, and the economy will bear the weight of our inaction.

Crime cannot be addressed solely by the government.

The issue is not the intent. From President Kufuor's initial worries to President Mahama's instructions and President Akufo-Addo's promise to risk his presidency, and once more under President Mahama, administrations have attempted and keep striving their hardest. Operations have been initiated. Equipment has been confiscated. Declarations have been issued. Nevertheless, within a few weeks, the same locations resume operations.

Galamsey continues to exist not due to the absence of laws, but because it flourishes in the gaps between policies and their implementation, shielded by patronage, desperation, and silence. No bulldozer can remove complicity. No single law can eliminate deep-rooted indifference. The true battle is about civic ethics and shared bravery. This issue will not be addressed from Accra. It needs to be confronted in the villages, churches, schools, and chief's residences.

The main way to eliminate this crime is through a collaboration between citizens and the government.

The government is unable to halt Galamsey by itself; it has become deeply integrated into Ghana's social and economic system, fueled by poverty, greed, materialism, and hidden behind fragmented accountability. If around 300,000 Ghanaians (~1% of the population) came together as whistleblowers and community advocates, it could shake up the criminal network. Alerts, reports, reclaiming, and revealing; these are forms of civic engagement.

When people take the initiative, progress occurs

In 2023, an educator from the Ashanti Region captured footage of Galamsey operations close to a school. The video became widely shared online. Soon after, the activity was halted. In the Western Region, a grandmother refused a GHS 5,000 bribe and alerted authorities about a nighttime group. Their machinery was confiscated. In Upper Denkyira, young people blocked entry points and transformed a ruined excavation site into a plantain farm. These successes werenot created by the government. They were deeds of regular individuals surpassing fear and exhaustion.

Traditional authority – between respect and significance

Chieftaincy continues to be one of the most respected systems in Ghana. Yet, it faces the possibility of losing its significance. No stool should rent out ancestral land for its destruction. No palace should protect those responsible. No elder should pretend not to know. A chief who benefits from Galamsey is not safeguarding tradition. He is selling it off. It's high time for chieftaincy to regain its ethical authority, not just through ceremonies, but by protecting water, land, and future generations.

The economic mirage

Some people support Galamsey by pointing to joblessness. However, the consequences are severe:

• Jobs that poison workers
• Income that destroys forests
• Gold that fuels corruption

This is not genuine progress. It represents temporary self-destruction and lawlessness, backed by those who prioritize immediate gains and lack understanding, presented as a remedy for joblessness and poverty. And when the gold is gone? They will depart with their pockets full. Ghana will be left with contaminated water sources and damaged infrastructure.forests, and children who come into the world with illness.

The global investment dimension

As one of Africa's major gold producers and an important participant in cocoa and critical minerals, Ghana faces consequences that go beyond environmental concerns. Investors are closely watching the situation. With ESG metrics playing a growing role in global investment trends, Ghana runs the risk of damaging its reputation, which may deter ethical investors.

Companies engaged in mining or farming encounter challenges related to social acceptance if they are perceived as being close to or benefiting from unlawful operations. Exporting countries, especially in Europe, are implementing stricter regulations on supply chain transparency, like the EU's Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). Galamsey also threatens the goals of the AfCFTA by undermining confidence in cross-border regulatory systems. The true danger is that Ghana might serve as a cautionary tale for resource-abundant nations losing authority over their natural resources.

The cost of doing nothing is measurable and disastrous

If current trends persist:

• Ghana could allocate more than US$2 billion each year for water treatment purposes by 2035.
• Cocoa exports might drop by 30 percent, causing instability in rural economies.
• Mercury and cyanide exposure might trigger a multi-billion-dollar public health crisis
• The ability to withstand climate impacts will disappear as tree coverage decreases and river networks fail.

And when the gold has disappeared? What will be left are contaminated rivers, barren soil, weakened economies, and futures sold off for foreign gain at the cost of Ghanaians.

From observers to participants – a new vision of citizenship

Leadership is not solely the responsibility of the government. It represents a collective ethical agreement.

• Educators should promote environmental awareness, rather than remain quiet.
• Religious figures should promote responsibility, not apathy
• Reporters are required to reveal, not justify
• Chiefs should guide, not rent
• Residents are required to be responsible for leaders and their own actions.

A country does not merely perish when its rivers run dry and the land becomes tainted, but when its citizens lose their concern.

A fresh approach to governance – originating from the grassroots, rather than imposed from above

Galamsey serves as both a cautionary tale and an example for African governance. It highlights the shortcomings of centralized approaches and the strength of local authority. Picture:

• Each District Assembly that supports youth-driven restoration teams
• Public environmental dashboards monitoring decline and regulatory action
• Funds for restoration are jointly funded by the state and the community, and are monitored in a transparent manner.

This is not idealism. It represents practical realism in a situation where governmental ability must be supported by strong civic engagement.Conclusion – Reclaiming a Country from Within

This is more than a call to action; it is a call to moral awareness. Enough empty words. Enough clichés. Enough inaction. Let the educator speak. Let the leader take responsibility. Let the mother voice her concerns. Let the young people mobilize. Let the reporter reveal the truth. Let the public hold accountable. Because the decision-makers are too distant. The community is too close. The river is too valuable. The land needs protection. And time is running out. Let history not remember that we stood by as our rivers died and lands were polluted while foreign criminal groups and local selfish lawbreakers prospered. Let it be known that we rose not with weapons, but with determination. That we reclaimed not only the land, but our self-respect. That we fought not for wealth, but for Ghana. And let it be said that when the future's child cried out, we responded.

The author is a globally recognized thought leader, Chartered Director, industrial engineer, supply chain management specialist, and social entrepreneur, renowned for his impactful work in industrialization, procurement, and strategic sourcing within developing countries.

As Africa's inaugural Professor Extraordinaire in Supply Chain Governance and Industrialization, he has provided guidance to governments, companies, and decision-makers, promoting sustainability and development. While serving as Chairman of the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF) and Labadi Beach Hotel, he guided these organizations to international acclaim for their innovation and operational excellence. He previously held the position of chairman at the Public Procurement Authority.

A highly productive writer with more than 90 works, he is the founder of NyansaKasa (Words of Wisdom), an engaging platform that reaches over one million readers each day. Under his forward-thinking guidance, Professor Boateng keeps motivating ethical leadership, creativity, and the empowerment of young people, pushing Africa towards a sustainable and equitable future.

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Rebuilding the Ecosystem: Politics, Science, Humanity, and Economy – Insights from BiM-NECS 2

By Ama Kudom-Agyemang

As Ghana's forests, wetlands, and grasslands face increasing strain from human activities and climate change, the 2nd Biennial Media Forum on Natural Resources, Environment, Climate Change and Science (BiM-NECS 2) emerged as a strong appeal for coordinated efforts.

Focusing on the theme "Ecosystem Restoration: The Politics, the Science, the Human, and the Economy," the Forum brought together journalists, government representatives, scientists, researchers, development professionals, civil society members, and gender advocates in Kumasi on Tuesday, 3^rdJune 2025, to envision the future of environmental restoration, considering both policy and community perspectives.

Advancing Ghana's inherent stake in restoring ecological systems

During her keynote speech, Professor Mercy Adutwumwaa Derkyi, the Director of the Quality Assurance and Academic Planning Directorate at the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) in Sunyani, recognized Ghana's strong commitment to restoring ecosystems, as demonstrated through significant efforts like the Bonn Challenge, the National Reforestation Program, Green Ghana, and Tree for Life, which engage both governmental and non-governmental entities.

Nevertheless, she emphasized that the effectiveness and long-term viability of these initiatives are challenged by "the dynamics of power, societal problems, failures in governance, corruption, and insufficient enforcement."

Professor Derkyi emphasized the need for robust political commitment and authentic participation from the grassroots level, which are essential in addressing these structural issues. "We must ask ourselves," she stated, "how can we transition from verbal promises to real actions? Who determines which ecosystems are most important? And how can we effectively enable local communities in this process?"

When addressing these questions, the main speaker presented various key principles for successful ecosystem restoration, such as: defining clear restoration objectives, evaluating the ecosystem's ability to recover, deciding between natural regrowth and supported restoration methods, prioritizing conservation in regions considered irreparable, and integrating scientific understanding with traditional ecological knowledge (TEK).

Professor Derkyi highlighted the significance of utilizing advancements in ecological science, including remote sensing, drone technology, geographic information systems (GIS), and new AI tools, to track ecosystem health and support data-driven solutions. She stressed that "combining scientific knowledge with traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) is essential for developing sustainable and equitable restoration approaches."

Among the scientific and institutional efforts she emphasized were: the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research-Forestry Research Institute of Ghana’s (CSIR-FORIG) initiatives in producing high-quality forest tree seedlings and promoting less commonly used species; and UENR’s Earth Observation Research and Innovation Centre (EORIC), which offers real-time satellite and GIS solutions across areas like climate, disasters, biodiversity, water, energy, agriculture, ecosystems, and health. This encompasses the Carbon Tower Project as part of the Carbon Flux Monitoring Project in Bia Tano, which monitors carbon dioxide levels at the forest level and aids Ghana's efforts in mitigation and adaptation.

Professor Derkyi mentioned another important project, the "EU-funded Landscapes and Environmental Agility across the Nation (LEAN)" initiative, which she praised for integrating scientific study with indigenous knowledge. Managed by Tropenbos Ghana and EcoCare Ghana along with their local collaborators, the LEAN project promotes community participation and offers research funding to university students, including those from UENR.

Professor Derkyi also urged the creation of a national Data Center to monitor advancements in Ghana's ecological restoration goals, particularly those within the UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration, and to promote openness and responsibility. She supported the active participation of important organizations such as the Forestry Commission, academic institutions, and the media to ensure broad partnerships that improve communication and cooperation between researchers and journalists.

"Restoration goes beyond nature—it also involves people's means of living," said Prof. Derkyi, adding that "Vibrant ecosystems can promote green employment, eco-tourism, and sustainable local businesses." Nonetheless, she warned that restoration should not depend only on outside financial support, which tends to be temporary. She suggested a sustained national dedication and funding for nature-focused initiatives.

The human aspect of restoration

The Principal Project Manager at Proforest's African Regional Office in Accra, Afua Serwaa Akoto Prempeh, who led the event, called on the media to transform data on environmental decline and climate change into narratives that reflect the daily experiences of Ghanaians.

To reinforce her argument, she cited the case of 17-year-old Aisha from Kundugu, located in the Wa East District of Ghana's Upper West Region. Having moved south, she currently works as a porter in the Madina market. Ms. Prempeh highlighted the financial impact of climate change on rural communities, cautioning that without immediate climate measures, an extra million individuals might slip into poverty, with family incomes expected to decrease by up to 40% by 2050.

"These are more than just figures," she emphasized. "They represent the real-life experiences of many young people like Aisha, whose families can no longer sustain themselves through farming because of climate changes." Ms. Prempeh referenced Aisha's story to highlight some key issues.

First, it supports research conducted by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) demonstrating that in northern Ghana, a region highly vulnerable to climate change, youth migration (both from rural to urban areas and rural to rural areas) is a common occurrence, with almost one out of every five young people from the north living in the south. Secondly, Aisha’s story transforms politics, facts, statistics, scientific data, and abstract concepts into real-life experiences, "highlighting the intersectionality between people, nature, and climate."

The Chairperson mentioned that Ghana requires approximately $2 billion each year to properly address the effects of climate change. She highlighted that this significant amount emphasizes the essential role of the media in presenting climate information in a way that is easier for the public and decision-makers to understand and use.

Mrs. Prempeh commended the Forum's original mission, which acknowledges thathowthe way the media conveys environmental matters is equally important aswhatis conveyed. "The media plays a significant role in spreading information of public concern, such as topics concerning natural resources, the environment, climate change, and science, through understandable and practical knowledge materials."

She further emphasized the significance of diversity, encouraging the media to make sure that underrepresented perspectives are included in the discussion.

EPA’s new environmental face

The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) regional director for Ashanti, Dr. Jackson Nyantakyi, shared key points of the recently passed Environmental Protection Act, 2025 (Act 1124). This new legislation supersedes the old Environmental Protection Act 1994 (Act 490), which created the Environmental Protection Agency. Act 1124 tackles shortcomings like insufficient penalties, ineffective coordination between agencies regarding environmental issues, and limited focus on climate change matters.

Significantly, Act 1124 grants the Authority the ability to prevent rezoning when there are environmental dangers and creates a National Environment Fund to support ongoing sustainability projects.

Future Perspectives: The Media's Critical Function

Launched in 2023 by the Media Platform on Environment and Climate Change (MPEC) in collaboration with the Afro-Sino Centre of International Relations (ASCIR) and The Steminist Foundation Ghana, BiM-NECS remains committed to highlighting the role of media in environmental governance.

Highlighting the significance of the BiM NECS Forum, the Chairperson remarked: “This gathering takes place because we are convinced that thoughtful discussions can inspire transformation when they bridge understanding, application, and regulation in impactful manners.”

This year's Forum, held with assistance from Proforest and Tropenbos Ghana, concluded with the release of the BiM NECS 2 Kumasi Declaration. It presented 12 key actions, including a commitment to make ecosystem restoration a national and regional media focus through an annual media campaign in line with the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.

As Ghana prepares to achieve its 2030 goals for ecosystem restoration, BiM-NECS 2 highlighted that restoring nature involves reestablishing links: between science and society, politics and communities, and economics and the environment.

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Path to a Brighter Future

Today, I will concentrate on the necessity of increased financial transfers from the wealthy North to the South - especially during a period when President Trump and the United States, along with numerous other Western nations, are cutting back on aid. I will contend that these transfers need to increase and take various forms, with multinational corporations and the broader private sector actively involved - for social, health, climate change, and other reasons, as well as to support overall growth and a more equitable distribution of wealth in developing countries. There is still much to be done, albeit late, since the end of the Colonial era, and since the United Nations' and the West's efforts to establish a New International Economic Order (NIEO) in the 1970s. The initiative was managed by the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), founded in 1964, but despite good intentions, the effort did not succeed; the Geneva-based organization remains, albeit quietly; its significant goals and work should be reinvigorated. Last week, however, it hosted the '4th International Conference on Financing for Development' (FFD4) in Seville, Spain, where a comprehensive plan for a better world was adopted.

The Norwegian Minister for Development Cooperation, Åsmund Aukrust, was a prominent speaker at the conference held in Sevilla. He stated, "The world has never been wealthier - so why does poverty still exist?" In an article co-authored with Lisetta Trebbi, the Acting Director General of NORAD, the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation, published in 'Panorama Nyheter' in Oslo on 03.07.25, additional details and topics were discussed. The article highlights that in a world marked by conflict, climate change, and rising costs, it's easy to believe we can't afford more spending. However, the authors argue the opposite, citing data from the 'Global Wealth Report,' which indicates that global savings now exceed USD 500,000 billion—enough to eliminate extreme poverty multiple times over. "There are resources available, but they are being diverted away from developing nations," Aukrust and Trebbi write.

The difference between what is required to achieve the UN's sustainable development goals and the actual funding being provided is greater than ever. Each year, there is a shortfall of USD 4-5 trillion—equal to one percent of global private savings. Meanwhile, wealthy nations are reducing their development aid budgets. What explains this situation? The key contradiction lies in the use of tax havens, secret fund transfers, and the growing accumulation of wealth, according to Aukrust and Trebbi.

In the concluding declaration of the meeting, titled 'Compromiso de Sevilla', four key actions were outlined as part of a plan aimed at creating a fairer world for the poorest nations. First, there is a need to boost development assistance. Second, efforts should be made to enhance tax collection capabilities and systems in developing countries, with support from donor nations. Third, the private sector should contribute more positively to the development of these countries, rather than acting against their interests. At times, private enterprises require more stability for future activities, which might necessitate assurances from donor countries. Fourth, new mechanisms must be established to manage the substantial debts of developing countries, including debt cancellation. Several nations allocate more funds to debt repayment than they do to their own education and healthcare budgets.

Aukrust and Trebbi mention in their article that the Sevilla summit offers renewed optimism regarding development funding. 192 UN member nations continue to back these initiatives, despite the USA withdrawing from the process a few weeks ago. 'The Sevilla declaration sends a strong message: A different world is still achievable. Now, it's time for words to translate into action, and Norway will remain at the forefront,' the two Norwegian officials in charge of development aid state. Norway played a crucial role during the twelve-month preparatory phase for the conference, alongside Mexico, Nepal, and Zambia, with input from the remaining UN member states, NGOs, and the private sector.

I hold a more skeptical view regarding the implementation compared to Aukrust and Trebbi, and there isn't much novel in the pledges either—similar to UNCTAD's proposals for a New International Economic Order in the 1970s. Well, perhaps the increased involvement of the private sector is somewhat new. However, there is minimal specific information from Sevilla regarding what donor nations will actually do and how they plan to deliver aid, including the scale and methods of improving collaboration with developing countries. I am convinced that significant changes are necessary; otherwise, only limited progress will be observed—and just as in my younger days, when we had high hopes for UNCTAD and the NIEO, this will end up being merely a 'Sevilla dream.'

There is a need for a historical analysis alongside a future projection, highlighting the errors made by wealthy nations but also explaining how they, too, will gain from establishing a more equitable global order, among other things, regarding migration and the development of vibrant and optimistic local environments for everyone. This certainly implies improved, less corrupt, and genuinely democratic governance within developing countries. In many instances, new institutions must be established in these countries to manage the increased international transfers, involving governments, NGOs, and both local and international private sectors, including major multinational corporations. A new structure with shared local and international leadership is essential to build trust among people in both the North and the South in the new system and its implementation.

In relation to a Conference of the Parties (COP) summit several years back, a new framework for significant financial transfers aimed at addressing climate change and environmental crises was introduced, which also included compensation for past exploitation of developing nations by developed ones. A key element was that wealthy nations should take responsibility for rectifying past and ongoing errors. This is commendable, yet it appears that very little has been accomplished in terms of achieving these objectives, including the establishment of a substantial fund. At the most recent conference, COP29, held in Azerbaijan in November last year, both participation and media attention were reduced compared to previous gatherings. Despite the promising Sevilla concepts, their outcome might mirror that of the COP initiatives, similar to how the UNCTAD and NIEO ideas of the 1970s ultimately failed. I could be mistaken about the future of COP or the Sevilla roadmap. Nevertheless, specific actions are necessary to ensure success.

Who will make the necessary efforts to bring the Sevilla ideas to life? The first thought is the group that was involved in organizing the conference, particularly Norway, which was the sole donor country in the group, along with the UNCTAD offices in Geneva. It's time to stop making grand promises and raising unrealistic expectations. This approach is counterproductive to building trust in development assistance, which currently has a poor reputation due to high costs and limited outcomes. We need a new and significantly increased level of development aid, as well as entirely new methods of implementation. Recipient countries should take the lead, with donors playing a supporting role. People in developing nations experience the need for improvements in social and economic conditions daily. Rich countries also require a moral revival, not only for their own citizens but also because they cannot continue to expand their military budgets at the current rate. We all need to consider and carry out positive actions on the path toward creating the better world we all desire.

Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).

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