Galamsey destroys 60% of rivers - Scientists raise alarm over implications

More than 60 per cent of the country's waterbodies are polluted by illegal mining activities, exposing the country to environmental, health and livelihood hazards, according to a research scientist at the Groundwater Division of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research-Water Research Institute (CSIR-WRI).

Touching on the way forward, Dr Bazaanah underscored the need for the government to strengthen transboundary water management to help tackle illegal mining and secure water bodies, especially those in the northern areas of the country.

In particular, he said, the debilitating impact of illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, cut across the environment, water and health sectors, so "we need to work together to fight this common enemy".