The Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture, Mr. John Dumelo, has assured the public that crops cultivated in areas affected by illegal mining activities — commonly known as galamsey — are not yet proven to be unsafe for consumption.
His comments follow recent reports suggesting that soils from illegal mining zones contain alarming levels of heavy metals such as arsenic, mercury, and lead, sparking concerns about the safety of food produced in those areas.
Speaking to journalists at the launch of FarmSense at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Mr. Dumelo emphasized that no definitive research has yet confirmed contamination of crops in such regions.
“Until we conduct thorough research to ascertain that crops from these areas — which end up in markets such as Madina, Dome, and Agbogbloshie — are indeed laced with harmful chemicals, there is no cause for alarm,” he said.
He added that premature conclusions could cause unnecessary panic, stressing that only evidence-based investigations should guide public health responses.
“At this point, there shouldn’t be any fears. Once the research confirms contamination, then we can take the appropriate line of action,” he noted.
The Deputy Minister, however, acknowledged the need for targeted studies to identify any food items grown in heavily polluted zones. Such data, he said, would be essential for alerting consumers and protecting public health.
Mr. Dumelo also commended the ongoing efforts of the anti-galamsey taskforce for working tirelessly to curb illegal mining and safeguard water bodies and forest reserves.
While admitting that the Ministry of Food and Agriculture remains concerned about the environmental impact of galamsey, he clarified that the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources holds the lead mandate in addressing the menace.
“We don’t want to overstep our jurisdiction. The Lands Ministry is handling the issue, and the anti-galamsey taskforce is doing an incredible job,” he stated.
The Deputy Minister reaffirmed government’s commitment to ensuring food safety, sustainable agriculture, and environmental protection through inter-ministerial collaboration.
Reported by Sofoba Kwame Afrifa
