Galamsey, an illegal kind of small-scale gold mining, has long been regarded as one of Ghana's most serious environmental concerns.
However, its consequences go far beyond environmental damage; galamsey has become a public health emergency.
The unregulated use of chemicals, dangerous mining techniques, and water contamination all have serious effects for the health of both miners and the populations that surround mining locations.
Galamsey is not only a threat to Ghana's natural ecosystems, but also a potential public health disaster.