Galamsey, derived from the phrase'' gather them and sell" is a local Ghanaian parlance that means illegal small scale, gold mining in Ghana. Ghana has lost a total of 1.41 million hectares of tree cover from 2001 to 2021, equivalent to 20 per cent decrease in forest cover of which galamsey is a major contributor to this challenge. Illegal Minning has become serious issue  in Ghana. Many scholars, government and non-governmental agencies, students, environmental advocate and even I have gotten opportunity to express my views on galamsey issues in Ghana at OPEMSO FM 104.7 but still the situation is still at it state. The government of Republic of Ghana has put effective policies to solve this issue but the challenge is still alarming. Some of the causes of illegal mining in Ghana are: 

Inadequate job opportunities for youth. Many youth find it difficult to access proper job to cater for their family and personal needs. Most the the galamseyers are youth because of high rate of unemployment in the country. People use that means to get money for their family and cater for their needs. Unemployment issue is contributing to illegal mining in Ghana. 

Additionally, low enforcement of existing laws. The law enforcement to regulate land and natural resources and equality before the law is low which encourage people to enter into galamsey business. All these activities has negative impact on our environment, these are

Deforestation. Many communities in Ghana is practicing this activity because of galamsey and contributing to biodiversity loss and replacement of species and their habitat. This also reduce the number of fresh air provide by the plants. 

Water pollution. This also a major problem of illegal mining. I have been to many galamsey communities like, Nyamebekyere, Tontokrom, Datano, Watreso and its surrounding communities in Amansie South District in Ashanti Region Ghana. Their activities has polluted river Oda, river Ofin which was used as a means of transportation and source of food to surrounding communities. It has also affected the aquatic animals in the river. 

Possible solution to this issue is to create employment opportunities for young graduated people to motivate the upcoming youth to focus on their education to reduce the number of youth and young Students to enter to galamsey companies. Also there should be law enforcement to protect our land and natural resources. 

In conclusion, illegal mining is human activities that affect ecosystem to provide it essential service to human and also have human relation and economic effect on our daily lives. We  should create awareness on these effect to save our planet for future and current use.