Galamsey Endangers Ghana’s Natural Gas Infrastructure
Illegal mining, locally known as “galamsey,” is increasingly jeopardizing Ghana’s critical infrastructure, with natural gas pipelines and communication cables facing significant threats. Henry Abeiku Oppong, the Vice President of Genser Energy’s Natural Gas Pipeline, recently highlighted the growing concern over these illicit activities.
Galamsey’s Threat to Gas Pipelines
Speaking at the KNUST-Genser seminar on ‘Industrialisation: Building Ghana’s Natural Gas Highway,’ Oppong revealed the extent of the danger. The seminar, themed ‘Fueling Ghana’s Future: Engineering Excellence in Natural Gas Infrastructure Development,’ served as a platform to discuss the pervasive impact of galamsey on vital energy infrastructure. According to Oppong, illegal miners are operating dangerously close to pipeline corridors, particularly in the Western and Ashanti Regions. He identified 15 specific communities where these activities present an imminent risk. Genser Energy has already experienced operational disruptions due to damaged communication cables, a direct consequence of galamsey. To combat this escalating threat, the company has intensified its daily monitoring and surveillance efforts to protect its assets and ensure the continued flow of natural gas.
The unchecked expansion of galamsey not only poses an immediate threat to Genser Energy’s infrastructure but also has broader implications for Ghana’s energy security and industrialization goals. The destruction of pipelines and communication cables can lead to significant economic losses and disruptions in gas supply, ultimately hindering the nation’s progress.
Keywords
Related Keywords: Galamsey, illegal mining, natural gas pipelines, communication cables, infrastructure damage, Ghana, environmental threats, pipeline security, cable theft, resource protection
