Health experts in the veterinary sector at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) are raising concerns over the devastating impact of illegal mining, commonly known as Galamsey, on bee populations in Ghana.
Speaking on the launch of the Bee Health Club at KNUST on March 15, 2025, Dr. William Tasiameh, Head of the School of Veterinary Medicine, highlighted the environmental destruction caused by illegal mining, particularly deforestation, as a significant threat to bees.
“Bees need trees, and if the environment is being destroyed, as seen in the case of Galamsey, it becomes a serious issue. We are cutting down trees and destroying our forests, which poses a significant challenge to the survival of bees. They need space, trees, flowers, and a conducive environment to reproduce, just as nature intended,” he stated.
Dr. Tasiameh further explained that contaminated water from Galamsey sites threatens honey production, as bees rely on clean water sources. “The major component of honey is water. Bees drink from these water bodies that are heavily polluted through illegal mining operations… It affects the livelihoods and survival of these bees,” he warned.
Donyina Effah Kwasi Opoku, a bee farmer, called on the government to introduce policies that encourage youth participation in beekeeping, emphasizing its potential as a major economic driver.
“For many years after Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s attempt to establish a beekeeping industry, no other government has shown interest. We are calling on the government to implement policies and empower the youth with kits and training. This will create a valuable avenue for revenue generation for the country,” Opoku stated.
Prof. Benjamin Emikpe, Dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine at KNUST, stressed the importance of integrating beekeeping into education to ensure sustainable honey production. “For sustainable honey production in Ghana, it is important to engage the youth early. Veterinarians, as well as students from the College of Education and the College of Agriculture, should be encouraged to understand the value of honey and the importance of bee health,” he noted.
The Bee Health Club, funded by the UK’s Agency for Plant and Animal Health, aims to raise awareness and promote sustainable practices in beekeeping to safeguard Ghana’s bee population and the broader ecosystem.