Ghana mercury contamination from illegal mining threatens cognitive health

Illegal artisanal and small-scale gold mining, known as galamsey, in Ghana is posing a severe threat to the cognitive development of future generations due to mercury contamination.

Mercury is used in the mining process to create gold amalgam, releasing vapors into the air and depositing toxins into soil and water. Microorganisms can transform this into methylmercury, a highly toxic compound that accumulates in the food chain, particularly in fish. This allows contamination to reach populations far from the actual mining sites.

The World Health Organization warns that mercury exposure can lead to kidney damage, visual and speech problems, and lifelong disabilities. Pregnant women and young children are at the highest risk, as mercury can cause cognitive impairment during critical stages of brain and nervous system development. While the environmental destruction of forests and rivers is highly visible, the potential for a population-wide decline in intellectual potential represents a long-term crisis for the nation.