Illegal mining, known as galamsey, is causing widespread damage across Ghana. It has turned rivers like the Pra and Ankobra into muddy waterways.
The destruction extends to cocoa farms and forest reserves. Water sources are so polluted that treatment plants struggle to make them clean for drinking.
Beyond environmental damage, galamsey poses a new threat. It is now endangering Ghana's buried gas pipelines.
Digging and excavation associated with illegal mining can directly impact these pipelines.
Damage to gas pipelines can lead to leaks and potentially cause explosions or fires.
This poses a significant safety risk to communities located near these underground lines.
Authorities are concerned about the long-term consequences of these destructive mining practices.
The Ghana National Gas Company has not yet commented on the specific threat to its infrastructure.