The General Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU) has said the severe shortage of vegetables and its resultant hike in prices are due to illegal mining activities in Ghana.

Mr Edward Kareweh, the General Secretary of GAWU, said the areas that serve as the vegetable production hub of the country are mostly the communities where galamsey is rife, making it difficult for farmers to cultivate crops in the country.

He told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview that although natural factors such as changes in season were a contributing factor, the consequences of some policies in the sector were hindering the process of food production in the country.

The Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview that although natural factors such as changes in season were a contributing factor, the consequences of some policies in the sector were hindering the process of food production in the country.

He said galamsey had led to soil erosion, water pollution, land destruction, heavy metal contamination, and soil infertility, cautioning that the situation was going to be worse if appropriate measures were not taken.

The GAWU General Secretary mentioned that the effects of galamsey were far-reaching and had significant environmental, social, and economic impacts on communities and the country, and therefore called on policymakers to implement sustainable mining practices to avert any food insecurity.

GNA