Overview

Ghana is situated along the coast of West Africa’s Gulf of Guinea, a diverse and rapidly developing country with a population of about 30,8 million people (GSS, 2021). Ghana is increasingly a regional hub for manufacturing, services, trade, and transport.

Ghana has undergone considerable economic growth and transformation, partially through the development of the country’s rich natural resource base (including production of oil, as well as minerals and agricultural exports such as cocoa)

Approximately 53% of Ghana’s population is urban (increasing at ~3.4% annually), of which almost 4 million live in the Greater Accra metropolitan area. Of the remaining rural population, most depend on mixed agriculture and livestock production.

Ghana’s warm tropical climate includes zones of relative aridity in the northern region as well as humid, monsoon-influenced regions in the southwest. As a result, the country is vulnerable to climate-related hazards such as drought and rainfall variability as well as floods and extreme rainfall events.https://www.afdb.org/en/documents/ghana-national-climate-change-profile

Ghana has a coastline of about 550 km with an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of over 218,000 km2 and a continental shelf of about 23,700 km2. The country’s territorial waters extend 12 nautical miles while the EEZ extends 200 nautical miles. The coastal environment includes important ecosystems such as estuaries, forests, lagoons, mangroves, and rocky and sandy beaches rich in biodiversity.

The coastal area of Ghana makes up nearly 7% of the national land area and is occupied by approximately 25% of the 30.8 million population (GSS, 2021). This high coastal population has increased demands and pressures on limited resources. Among the pressures are overfishing, poor sanitation and wetland degradation.

http://www.epa.gov.gh/epa/sites/default/files/downloads/publications/0.STATE%20OF%20MARINE%20ENVIRONMENT%20REPORT%20Feb%202022_Version%20copy.pdf

Pollution Issues

Ghana’s landscapes face environmental challenges, but the nature and extent of the issues are changing as a function of the socioeconomic and environmental dynamics.

E-Waste Generation

Ghana generates significant amounts of e-waste due to the increasing use of electronic and electrical devices. This includes both domestically used devices and imported e-waste from other countries.

Ghana has a substantial informal sector involved in e-waste processing. Many individuals and small-scale businesses collect, transport, dismantle, and extract valuable materials from e-waste. However, they mostly operate under poor working conditions and without proper safety measures, which poses health and environmental risks.

Those involved in the informal e-waste sector often face serious health risks from exposure to hazardous substances like cadmium, lead, and mercury. This exposure can result in respiratory problems, skin conditions, and long-term health issues.

Ghana has taken steps to address the e-waste problem. The country ratified the Basel Convention, an international treaty aimed at controlling the transboundary movement of hazardous waste, including e-waste. Additionally, Ghana passed the Hazardous and Electronic Waste Control and Management Act in 2016 to regulate the sector.

Ghana has collaborated with international organizations and donors to improve its capacity for managing e-waste. Various projects aim to formalize and improve the recycling and disposal of electronic waste.

Government agencies and other non-state actors have been involved in awareness campaigns to educate the public about the proper disposal of e-waste and the risks associated with informal recycling practices. Enforcement of regulations, proper disposal of e-waste, and establishment of environmentally friendly recycling facilities remain ongoing challenges.

Several efforts are being made to regulate and formalize the e-waste sector and mitigate the negative impacts of e-waste in the country. International cooperation and increased awareness are essential components of Ghana's strategy to address this issue.

Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining

Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining plays a crucial role in Ghana's economy. It is estimated that over one million Ghanaians are involved in ASGM activities, providing livelihoods for many in rural areas.

Mercury is widely used in Ghana's ASGM sector for gold extraction. Miners mix mercury with gold-containing ore to form an amalgam, which is then heated to vaporize the mercury, leaving behind the gold.

The use of mercury in ASGM poses significant health and environmental risks. Mercury exposure can lead to serious health issues, including neurological and developmental problems. Moreover, the release of mercury into the environment can contaminate water sources and ecosystems, impacting both aquatic life and people downstream.

Ghana has implemented several measures to address the use of mercury in ASGM. The country has ratified the Minamata Convention on Mercury, a global treaty that aims to reduce mercury use and emissions. Additionally, the Minerals and Mining Act of 2006 (Act 703) and its subsequent amendments provide a legal framework for regulating ASGM activities. The country is promoting the adoption of alternative, mercury-free gold extraction techniques and equipment.

Ghana has been working to formalize the ASGM sector by registering and monitoring small-scale miners, to ease better regulation and control over mercury use.

Various stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, and international partners, are involved in capacity-building efforts to raise awareness about the hazards of mercury use, improve mining practices, and provide training on safer and more sustainable mining techniques.

There are ongoing initiatives to mitigate the health and environmental impacts while supporting the livelihoods of those involved in ASGM. Continued collaboration between the government, international organizations, and local communities is crucial to achieving sustainable and responsible mining practices in the country.

ASGM is widely practiced in 13 out of the 16 regions of Ghana and provides an important source of livelihood for surrounding communities. Over 30% of Ghana's gold is produced by ASGM. In 2019, ASGM was estimated to produce approximately 47 tons of the precious metal.

One million people—of whom over 60% are women— are estimated to be engaged directly in ASGM in Ghana. The sector is largely informal and is characterized by significant environmental impacts, including the unsafe use of chemicals such as mercury. In 2019, the sector was estimated to use 50 tons of mercury. Concentrate amalgamation is the most widely used method of gold processing with mercury.

Key Figures from Ghana
1/3 of Ghana’s gold is produced by ASGM50+ tons of mercury are released by ASGM annually
1,000,000 people work directly in ASGM60% of the ASGM workforce are women