Eco-Conscious Citizens urges global markets to label Ghanaian gold ‘Blood Gold’ over illegal mining

Civil society group Eco-Conscious Citizens has called on international precious metals markets, financiers, and commodity traders to classify Ghanaian gold linked to illegal mining as “Blood Gold” until the government intensifies efforts to combat the menace.

In a statement issued on June 24, the group argued that a significant portion of Ghana’s gold production originates from unregulated artisanal and small-scale mining activities that use harmful chemicals such as mercury and cyanide, causing environmental degradation and contaminating water bodies and farmlands.

Executive Director Awula Serwah said the proposed designation would apply economic pressure on the government to undertake a sustained and effective crackdown on illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

The group urged global buyers and financiers to require verifiable supply-chain checks, classify gold from jurisdictions with weak enforcement against illegal mining as high-risk, and strengthen scrutiny of sourcing claims.

Eco-Conscious Citizens maintained that international markets have the leverage to drive change by refusing to trade in gold linked to environmental destruction and weak regulatory oversight.

The group also renewed its call for the government to adequately resource the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), arguing that the body continues to face logistical and funding challenges despite its mandate to lead the fight against illegal mining.

According to the group, only a credible, well-resourced, and sustained enforcement campaign can restore confidence in Ghanaian gold and address concerns over the environmental impact of illegal mining.