By Seifu A Tilahun (IWMI), Gerald Atampugre (IWMI), Eric Nartey (IWMI), Kidia Gelaye (ICRISAT), Junias Adusei-Gyamfi (KNUST), Johannes Herzog (SLU) & Jennie Barron (SLU)
Illegal gold mining — known locally as galamsey — has been wreaking havoc in southern Ghana for years, particularly in resource-rich regions like the Upper Offin sub-basin. These areas, once celebrated for their dense forests and flourishing cocoa plantations, now face a grim reality of land degradation, plummeting agricultural yields, and polluted water bodies. But there is hope, and the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) is at the forefront of delivering solutions that can reshape the future of these landscapes and inform policy at local and national levels.
When mining and agriculture collide
Southern Ghana’s lush environment is its lifeline, with forests covering 66% of the region and cocoa farms thriving on almost half of that land. However, since 2015, illegal mining activities have surged, devouring fertile land and jeopardizing the livelihoods of countless cocoa farmers. The numbers are stunning. In 2024, the Centre for Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Services through the SERVIR West Africa program, revealed that more than 670 square kilometers of land—an area comparable to the size of Singapore—had been destroyed by illegal mining.
The immediate consequences are severe:
- Land degradation: Research from IWMI and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) indicates a dramatic reduction in soil organic matter in mined areas, complicating land rehabilitation efforts.
- Water Pollution: Mercury levels in groundwater near mining sites are alarmingly high, posing significant health risks and ecological damage.
The shift from agroforestry to mining has intensified the strain on land and water management, threatening not only the environment but also food security and economic stability in the region.
IWMI’s innovative approach to rehabilitation and policy reform
Amid these challenges, IWMI has taken a bold step forward. Through the CGIAR Initiative on West and Central African Food Systems Transformation, IWMI has facilitated the co-design of an inclusive landscape management plan tailored for the Ahafo Ano South West district. This district, located within the Upper Offin sub-basin of the Pra basin, is a hotspot for illegal mining activities, making it a critical area for testing sustainable solutions.
What makes IWMI’s approach unique?
- Collaborative design: The management plan was developed in close collaboration with the district assembly, local farmers and other stakeholders, ensuring the plan is not only actionable but also widely accepted.
- Policy integration: The district assembly has adopted the plan as part of its Medium-Term Development Plan, solidifying its role in local governance and policy.
- Sustainable reclamation models: IWMI piloted the Oil Palm for Post-Mined Site Reclamation model in Kunsu, a mining-affected community. Guided by a co-designed business framework and a benefit-sharing mechanism, this initiative promotes sustainable land use while empowering local communities.
The bigger picture: Transforming policy through action
The implications of IWMI’s work extend far beyond Ahafo Ano South West district. By embedding inclusive landscape management into district policies, IWMI demonstrates how co-designed solutions can serve as templates for other mining-impacted areas. The management plan and the oil palm reclamation model offer critical insights for policymakers at all levels:
- Scaling sustainable practices: National policies can replicate the approach in the plan to address similar challenges across Ghana’s mining regions.
- Economic integration: Models like the oil palm initiative highlight the economic viability of land reclamation, making a case for incorporating such programs into national agricultural and environmental strategies.
- Community-led governance: By empowering local farmer-based organizations, IWMI showcased the power of community ownership in ensuring the longevity of restoration efforts.
A call to action
The environmental toll of illegal mining is undeniable, but with IWMI’s forward-thinking initiatives, a path toward recovery is emerging. Policymakers, researchers and communities must now come together to scale these efforts, turning localized successes into national strategies. By leveraging IWMI’s insights, Ghana can pave the way for a sustainable future where mining, agriculture, and conservation coexist harmoniously.
Together, we can balance responsibility, restore degraded landscapes and secure livelihoods for generations to come. The time for action is now.
