A visual analysis titled "Wealth Over Water" highlights the severe pressure illegal gold mining, known as galamsey, is placing on Ghana's natural resources. According to the analysis, which draws data from various official bodies including the Water Resources Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency, approximately 60% of Ghana's water bodies are polluted, with illegal mining being a significant contributor. Scientists warn that some affected water bodies may be difficult to restore. The report also indicates that Ghana's renewable water availability per person has fallen below the threshold for water stress. In addition to water contamination, galamsey is encroaching on cocoa farms, with significant percentages of farmland affected in major cocoa-producing regions, leading to reduced yields. The analysis notes that while enforcement operations have shown some localized improvements, the broader contamination pressure on water resources remains troubling. Heavy metals like arsenic, lead, and mercury have been detected in mining-affected environments, and elevated levels have been found in food samples from these areas.