The Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG) has issued a stark warning of an impending generational food and nutrition crisis if drastic measures are not taken to combat illegal mining, commonly known as ‘galamsey’.

In a statement on Tuesday, September 10, the Association urged the government to impose a ban on illegal mining to protect the environment, farmers’ livelihoods, and food security.

According to PFAG, over 1.2 million hectares of farmland have been lost to illegal mining activities, while water bodies and irrigation facilities have been polluted, making sustainable production challenging.

The cocoa sector and food crop production have been severely impacted, with farmers facing difficulties in accessing usable water and fertile soil.

PFAG emphasised that the consequences of inaction would be catastrophic, leading to a generational food crisis.

The Association joined calls for an immediate ban on illegal mining activities and urged farmers to support efforts to bring an end to the menace.

Read below the statement by PFAG