FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ALL MEDIA HOUSES

Introduction

The Architecture Alliance (TAA) and the Institute of Sustainable Design and Construction Management
Ghana (ISDCM-G) are deeply concerned about the destructive impact of illegal mining, popularly known
as galamsey, on Ghana’s natural and built environment.
Architecture, and by extension construction, is founded on the coexistence of people, land, water, and
resources. Yet galamsey erodes this delicate balance.
As Architects and construction professionals, we affirm that galamsey is a complete abomination and a
theft of our future. It scars our land, poisons our rivers, and renders our communities unsafe. Today, we
join Ghanaians and civil society in expressing grave concern over this unpatriotic practice, which
continues to undermine both current and future development.

Effects of Illegal Mining on the Construction Industry

1. Economic Impact

• Rising cost of construction due to the scarcity of quality materials.
• Project delays caused by labour shortages in mining-affected communities.

1. Material Quality and Availability

• Contamination of sand and stone quarries reduces the quality of construction aggregates.
• Limited availability of clean sand and gravel increases costs.
• Long-term depletion of natural resources critical to construction.

1. Environmental Degradation

• Pollution of rivers and water bodies raises water treatment costs, affecting projects dependent
  on clean water.
• Land degradation leads to unstable soils, limiting suitable construction sites.
• Deforestation disrupts ecosystems, increases erosion, and undermines infrastructure
  resilience.

1. Health & Safety Concerns

• Contaminated water poses health risks to construction workers and surrounding communities.
• Weak and unstable soils heighten the risk of building collapses and structural failures.

A Call to Collective Responsibility

Galamsey is not only an environmental issue, it is a direct threat to safe, sustainable, and dignified
human living. Addressing it requires urgent and collective action.
We therefore call for:

• Stricter enforcement of environmental regulations to protect land and water resources.
• Comprehensive land rehabilitation to restore mined areas for safe human settlement and
  productive use.
• Sustainable livelihood alternatives to reduce community dependence on illegal mining.
• Collaborative engagement between government, professional bodies, and local communities
  to secure long-term stewardship of our environment.

Our Commitment

We, as Architects and construction professionals, pledge to:

• Advocate for responsible land stewardship.
• Reimagine and restore mined landscapes through design innovation.
• Contribute sustainable planning and design solutions that protect the integrity of our
  environment.

The fight against galamsey is about more than protecting the environment, it is about securing a
dignified, sustainable, and prosperous future for all Ghanaians.

END

Signed

The Architecture Alliance
Inst. of Sustainable Design and Const. Management

For more information, please contact:

Arc Patience Ewurama Ocran, President, The Architecture Alliance (+233 243 271 391)

Arc Ernest Essah, Executive President, Institute of Sustainable Design and Construction (+233 244
207 267)