Justice Matthew Akita, author of The Galamsey King Must Dance Naked, has warned that Ghana risks becoming dependent on imported food and water if illegal mining continues to destroy farmland and pollute rivers.

Speaking on the Asaase Breakfast Show on Wednesday (29 July), Akita said soil degradation caused by galamsey poses the greatest environmental threat facing the country.

“The environmental loss that worries me the most is the soil degradation. You can’t grow anything after they come and destroy your land,” he said.

He explained that unlike licensed mining companies, illegal miners fail to preserve and restore topsoil, leaving farmland unsuitable for cultivation.

“Very soon… we’ll just have to start importing our food. And even water,” he warned.

Akita also expressed concern about the long-term health consequences of mercury and cyanide contamination, arguing that many Ghanaians underestimate the dangers because polluted water can appear clean after treatment.

“The brown water means absolutely nothing… it doesn’t take away the serious chemicals in the water,” he said.

He further warned that continued exposure to contaminated water could increase birth deformities and place enormous pressure on Ghana’s healthcare system.

“If we are to go beyond a certain threshold, Ghana is going to be in big trouble,” he said.