Illegal mining activities, also known as 'galamsey,' have come under fresh criticism for threatening the livelihoods and safety of inland fishermen along the Black Volta in the Savannah Region.

Jacob Kabori Tetteh Ageke, President of the National Inland Canoe Fishermen Council, has raised alarm over the negative impact of these activities, warning of an imminent decline in fish stock if immediate action is not taken.

Speaking during a stakeholder meeting in Kumasi to review the new Fisheries Act, Mr. Ageke revealed that fisher folks are being driven away from their fishing grounds by heavily armed illegal miners who want to mine in the water bodies. He explained that despite continuous efforts to protect the rivers, the illegal miners continue to ravage the Black Volta, leaving the local fishermen without their primary source of livelihood.

"Some of the illegal miners are using weapons to make sure our people move out of the communities or around the Black Volta, especially in the Savannah and Banda areas where they operate. We are appealing to the authorities to intervene and ensure that the illegal miners leave so we can continue fishing," Mr. Ageke said.

He further described the environmental destruction being caused, noting that the tributaries of the Volta Lake are severely impacted by the increased turbidity of the water caused by mining activities.

"The illegal mining is affecting us greatly. From the Savannah Region all the way down the Black Volta to the Bui Lake and beyond, the water quality has changed drastically," he added.

According to Mr. Ageke, the increased pollution is having a devastating effect on aquatic ecosystems, with fish populations declining as a result.

"The fishes die in the tributaries before they even enter the main Volta Lake, so the fish population is declining. The water has become increasingly polluted, and it is affecting our ability to make a living."

Meanwhile, aquaculture farmers in the Amansie East District of the Ashanti Region are also facing similar threats from illegal miners. Francis De-heer, National Organiser of the Ghana National Aquaculture Association, highlighted that catfish farmers in the area are being pressured to abandon their farms due to illegal mining activities.

"Catfish farming in parts of the Ashanti Region, like the Amansie East, used to be a thriving industry. Unfortunately, illegal mining activities are disrupting it, and it needs to be addressed urgently," Mr. De-heer said.

With the increasing threat posed by illegal mining to the country's inland fisheries and aquaculture, calls for stricter enforcement and a possible ban on small-scale mining are intensifying.

Environmental degradation, food insecurity, and the looming shortage of potable water are among the concerns driving pressure on the government to act swiftly.