The Chief Fisherman of Tema Newtown, Nii Odametey, has raised serious concerns over the impact of illegal mining, locally known as "galamsey," on Ghana's fishing industry.
Speaking on Channel One TV's Community Forum on Thursday, October 31, Nii Odametey revealed how mercury contamination from mining activities in the country's river systems is making its way into the sea, thereby impacting marine life and endangering the livelihoods of coastal fishing communities. "Galamsey activities are directly affecting our fishing communities because all our rivers stretch to the galamsey towns," Nii Odametey explained. "The mercury from these mining activities is entering the sea and affecting the fish." He explained that mercury, a toxic byproduct of galamsey mining, enters rivers that ultimately flow into the ocean.
The accumulation of this heavy metal in marine ecosystems poses a threat to fish populations and, by extension, the health and livelihoods of local fishermen.
The contamination can disrupt fish habitats, reduce fish stock quality, and even harm the people who rely on fish as a dietary staple.