Unregulated small-scale mining activities (galamsey) in Upper Denkyira West District are not only degrading forests, destroying farmlands, and polluting water bodies with heavy metals but are also driving a worrying rise in HIV transmission among local communities, health authorities have warned.
According to joint research conducted by an investigative journalist in collaboration with the Upper Denkyira Health Directorate, the opening of mining operations in a community often coincides with a sharp spike in HIV prevalence.
The data suggests that whenever a mining site is established, the number of HIV cases in the affected community doubles, making residents twice as likely to contract the virus compared to the period before mining began.
The research further revealed that mining activities increase the likelihood of multiple sexual partners by 70%, high-risk sexual partners by 30%, and unprotected sex by 70%.
In addition, about 20% of people living in mining communities were found to have less knowledge about HIV than residents in non-mining areas.
Collectively, these findings paint a troubling picture of how unregulated mining is compounding public health risks alongside its environmental and economic impacts.
The Upper Denkyira West District Health Director, Mr. Fidelis Kon-Angna, said the district has consistently recorded higher HIV prevalence rates than other districts in the Central Region, often exceeding regional averages.
“Year after year, our HIV surveillance data shows that communities in Upper Denkyira West have prevalence levels greater than the regional figure,” he said.
Corroborating the findings, District Health Information Officer (DHIO) Stephen Nti disclosed that as of mid-2025, the Central Region has recorded 1,386 HIV cases, while Upper Denkyira West alone accounted for 84 cases.
“This represents a 6% prevalence compared to 8.7% for the whole of 2024,” he explained.
Mr. Kon-Angna cautioned residents to take their sexual health seriously by practicing safer sex and maintaining monogamous relationships.
“I want to urge the entire district to protect themselves by using condoms or sticking to one partner,” he said. “The galamsey activities are seriously fuelling HIV transmission in the district — and it is real.”
He hinted that unless urgent interventions are implemented, including stronger regulation of mining activities, community education, and accessible sexual health services, the district risks a worsening public health crisis alongside ongoing environmental damage.
Report by: Oheneba Kesse Brempong
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