The General Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU) has attributed the severe shortage of vegetables and the consequent hike in prices to illegal mining activities in Ghana.
In an interview Mr. Edward Kareweh, General Secretary of GAWU, explained that the regions serving as the vegetable production hubs in the country are also the communities where illegal mining is rampant. This overlap has made it increasingly difficult for farmers to cultivate crops.
While acknowledging that natural factors such as seasonal changes contribute to the situation, Mr. Kareweh emphasized that the adverse effects of certain policies in the agricultural sector are also hindering food production. He noted that galamsey has led to severe soil erosion, water pollution, land destruction, heavy metal contamination, and soil infertility. If appropriate measures are not taken, he cautioned, the situation could worsen.
“The effects of galamsey are far-reaching, with significant environmental, social, and economic impacts on communities and the country,” Mr. Kareweh stated. He urged policymakers to implement sustainable mining practices to prevent potential food insecurity.
He highlighted that vegetables are particularly sensitive crops requiring clean water for cultivation. “You need clean water to grow vegetables, but you don’t necessarily need clean water to grow cocoa or oil palm,” he said. The polluted water resulting from illegal mining activities has destroyed many farms, and the surviving ones are at risk, especially during the rainy season when floods carry contaminants into the vegetable fields.
Mr. Kareweh also pointed out that, in addition to galamsey, some existing policies exacerbate the problem instead of addressing the challenges created by natural and human factors. He noted that the recent trend of rising prices is particularly concerning. “Tomatoes should not be in abundance like they were in January and February, but you have to look at the marginal increase. Every market day, the price goes up and becomes far more costly than before,” he explained.
He lamented the high costs of products, land preparation, and pesticides, among other essentials critical to vegetable production, which are negatively impacting the development of the agricultural sector in Ghana.
In conclusion, Mr. Kareweh called for immediate and comprehensive measures to tackle the dual challenges of illegal mining and ineffective agricultural policies to ensure the sustainability and growth of vegetable production in Ghana.
