The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana has issued a serious warning about the potential threat illegal mining activities, commonly known as “galamsey,” pose to the country’s agricultural exports. The association emphasizes that urgent action is needed to address this issue, or Ghana may face significant challenges in selling its food products on the international market, particularly in Europe.
Concerns have arisen following reports that Ghanaian agricultural exports, including key staples like cocoa, yams, and vegetables, have been found to contain harmful heavy metals. These pollutants, such as mercury, are introduced into the environment through illegal mining operations that utilize toxic chemicals to extract gold and other minerals. As these contaminants seep into water bodies and farmland, they pose serious risks to food safety, especially in regions with stringent regulations like the European Union.
In a recent interview with Accra based Citi News, Samson Asaaki Awingobit, president of the Importers and Exporters Association, highlighted the gravity of the situation. He noted that the EU enforces rigorous food safety standards, and any sign of contamination could lead to an outright ban on Ghanaian agricultural exports.
Such a ban would have devastating economic repercussions for Ghana, as the EU is one of the country’s largest trading partners. The association’s alarm serves as a call to action for authorities to combat illegal mining and safeguard the integrity of Ghana’s agricultural sector.
