International trade at risk from galamsey – Importers and Exporters Association
The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana has warned that the country’s international trade could suffer devastating consequences if illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, is not urgently curbed.
The caution follows a recent alert by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), which revealed traces of heavy metal contamination in some food and cosmetic products on the Ghanaian market.
According to the FDA, the contamination is linked to illegal mining activities, which release mercury and other harmful substances into the environment.
Speaking to the media in Accra, the Association’s Executive Secretary, Samson Asaki Awingobit, said Ghana risks having its exports rejected in foreign markets if the situation persists.
“You think by now the Europeans are not monitoring? This is what is going to happen to us. They can turn around and say they will not take any foodstuffs coming from Ghana because the mercury level is high in our food. Because of our negligence, it will affect all of us,” he cautioned.
Mr Awingobit stressed that beyond the health and environmental dangers, galamsey poses a significant economic threat, particularly to Ghana’s non-traditional exports.
He explained that international buyers are increasingly strict about safety and environmental standards, meaning Ghana could lose credibility as a reliable trading partner.
“The thing is, we need to take the issue very seriously. It is also the case that we need to export more to bring proceeds back, but how can that happen if our goods are rejected because of contamination?” Mr Awingobit questioned.
Meanwhile, government has intensified its crackdown on illegal mining. On Sunday, 28th September 2025, the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations (NAIMOS) Task Force was deployed in Sunyani.
The task force, operating under the directive of the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has been instructed to deal “ruthlessly” with anyone engaged in galamsey.
