In response to the devastating impact of galamsey (illegal small-scale mining), we launched the Anti-Galamsey Campaign in 2021. The campaign focuses on raising awareness of the negative impacts of galamsey on the natural environment and human health while advocating for political action and promoting sustainable alternative livelihoods.
Community-Based Campaign on Galamsey
GYEM held a community-based campaign on Galamsey in Asiakwa, Eastern Region, in response to the growing environmental and social challenges posed by illegal small-scale mining activities in Ghana. Galamsey is currently one of the greatest threats to Ghana’s forests and rivers. The destruction caused to the environment and the dangers posed to nature and humans have negative implications for climate change.
The specific objectives of the campaign:
- Raise awareness about the negative impacts of galamsey on the environment, health, and socio-economic well-being of the community.
- Empower young (15 – 35 years) people with knowledge and skills to speak up and demand action from their local authorities while becoming agents of change and advocates for sustainable mining practices.
- Promote alternative livelihood options and entrepreneurship opportunities for young people in the community.
- Support schools in the community to set up after-school green clubs to raise awareness to school children about galamsey and other environmental issues
Campaign activities included:
- Workshop: A 2 hours 30 minutes interactive workshop conducted to sensitize nearly 100 participants about the environmental, social, and economic consequences of galamsey. These activities encouraged dialogue among community participants, fostering a sense of ownership and collective responsibility in addressing the galamsey issue.
- School Visitation: A local school was visited to listen to document the opinions, concerns, and thoughts of children and youth on the issue of galamsey. 35 students participated in this exercise, with 5 male students involved in galamsey sharing their experiences about why they do illegal mining.
- Field Visits: We visited galamsey sites to see the devastating impacts on water bodies and agricultural lands. This firsthand experience reinforced the need for sustainable mining practices and motivated participants to act.
Ways to take action:
- Spread the word on social media using any of our flyers: Download here
- Download our Green Club in School (GCS) curriculum to educate yourself, establish a green club in your school or communities, or homeschool your children.: Download here
Let’s ACT now, for the future.