Health experts in the veterinary sector at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, KNUST, are raising alarms over the devastating effects of illegal mining, commonly known as Galamsey, on bee populations.

In an interview with Channel One News during the launch of the Bee Health Club at KNUST on March 15, 2025, Dr. William Tasiameh, Head of the School of Veterinary Medicine, stated that illegal mining, particularly deforestation, poses a serious threat to bee populations by destroying their natural habitats and reducing available forage.

“Bees need trees, and if the environment is being destroyed, as seen in the case of Galamsey, it becomes a serious issue. We are cutting down trees and destroying our forests, which poses a significant challenge to the survival of bees. They need space, trees, flowers, and a conducive environment to reproduce, just as nature intended.”

He further stated that, contaminated water from Galamsey sites poses a significant threat to the quality of honey production.

“The major part of honey is water. Bees drink from these water bodies that are heavily polluted through illegal mining operations… It affects the livelihoods and survival of these bees”.

Donyina Effah Kwasi Opoku, a bee farmer, urged the government to implement policies that encourage youth participation in beekeeping by providing support and empowerment programs, emphasising its potential as a significant source of revenue for the economy.

“For many years after Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s attempt to establish a beekeeping industry, no other government has shown interest. We are calling on the government to implement a policy and empower the youth with kits and training. This will create a valuable avenue for revenue generation for the country.”

Prof. Benjamin Emikpe, Dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine at KNUST, stated that the key to ensuring sustainable beekeeping and honey production is instilling a culture of beekeeping among students through collaborative efforts.

“For sustainable honey production in Ghana, it is important to engage the youth early. Veterinarians, as well as students from the College of Education and the College of Agriculture, should be encouraged to understand the value of honey and the importance of bee health.”

The Bee Health Club is funded by the UK’s Agency for Plant and Animal Health.