John Dumelo Calms Fears Over Food Safety Amid Concerns of ‘Galamsey’-Polluted Soils

Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture, John Dumelo, has assured the public that crops cultivated in areas affected by illegal mining, locally known as galamsey, remain safe for consumption — at least until comprehensive scientific investigations prove otherwise.

Mr. Dumelo’s remarks come amid growing public concern following reports that soils from illegal mining zones contain alarming concentrations of arsenic, mercury, and lead — heavy metals known to pose serious health risks.

Speaking on the sidelines of the FarmSense initiative launch at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), the Deputy Minister emphasised that the ministry is taking a data-driven approach before drawing conclusions about the safety of farm produce from such areas.

“Until we conduct research to ascertain that half of the foods coming from these areas — heading to markets in Madina, Dome, and Agbogbloshie — are laced with harmful chemicals, we cannot make conclusive judgments,” he stated. “At this point, there shouldn’t be any fears. Once research confirms the facts, we will act accordingly,” Mr. Dumelo added.

Call for Scientific Verification

Mr. Dumelo stressed the importance of immediate scientific mapping and testing of food crops from mining-impacted communities. This, he said, would enable policymakers to identify contaminated produce and protect consumers through targeted advisories or possible trade restrictions.

Analysts say such an approach is crucial to safeguarding Ghana’s agricultural integrity, which supports over 40% of the workforce and underpins both food security and rural livelihoods.

Inter-Ministerial Collaboration

The Deputy Minister further commended the anti-galamsey taskforce and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources for their continued efforts to clamp down on illegal mining operations that threaten agricultural lands and water bodies.

“We don’t want to overstep our jurisdiction. The Lands Ministry is dealing with it. The anti-galamsey taskforce is doing an incredible job,” he noted.

While the Ministry of Food and Agriculture remains focused on productivity, food safety, and market access, Dumelo emphasized that cross-ministerial coordination is key to addressing the environmental and economic consequences of illegal mining.

Background

Ghana’s galamsey crisis has raised concerns about its impact on agriculture, as many farmlands and water sources have been contaminated with toxic chemicals used in unregulated gold extraction. Studies by independent researchers have found elevated levels of mercury and arsenic in some farming zones in the Western, Ashanti, and Eastern Regions.

However, the Ministry maintains that no conclusive nationwide study has yet established direct contamination links between these heavy metals and food consumed in major urban markets.

For now, Mr. Dumelo says the Ministry’s focus is to prioritize research, monitoring, and awareness, ensuring that both farmers and consumers are protected as Ghana continues its fight against illegal mining.

Source: Accra Business News