Pure Earth Ghana , in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), has completed a study assessing the presence of mercury and other heavy metals in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) communities in Ghana. The assessment, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, provides insights into the levels of mercury, lead, arsenic, and cadmium in the environment and highlights areas where attention is needed to protect communities and food systems.
Between August 2024 and September 2025, researchers tested soil, water, air, crops, and fish across 11 sites in six regions: Ashanti, Western, Western North, Central, Eastern, and Savannah. The findings serve as an important evidence base for strengthening ongoing government and community efforts in environmental health and food safety.
Stakeholders at the dissemination workshop in Accra
• Soil: Mercury levels at Konongo Zongo (Ashanti) exceeded safe guidelines by over 560%. Arsenic soared to a shocking 10,060 ppm, pointing to the need for improved mining practices.
• Water: In Konongo Odumase, arsenic levels reached 3.30 mg/L, hundreds of times above drinking water limits. Asiakwa (Eastern Region) recorded widespread unsafe lead levels in water, which calls for close monitoring and appropriate community protection measures.
• Food: Vegetables such as pumpkin leaves and kontomire, along with fish from Akwaboso, were contaminated with lead, arsenic, and cadmium, threatening food safety and nutrition, reinforcing the need for food safety monitoring and guidance to farmers and households.
Heavy metals are known to affect health over time, particularly for children and pregnant women. By understanding where the challenges are, Ghana is better positioned to act now to protect both public health and food security.
The results were shared at a stakeholder workshop in Accra, bringing together government officials, environmental agencies, civil society, and development partners. The discussion focused not only on the findings but also on collaborative solutions including safer mining techniques, improved monitoring, food safety watch programs, and stronger community engagement.
Blessing Enyonam Gbadago, Project Manager- Pure Earth and Dr. Simon Sovoe, Director of Research- Ghana Environmental Protection Authority presenting the research findings.
• Capacity building: Training local officers to detect pollutants with precision tools like the XRF and Jerome.
• Policy support: Supplying transparent, evidence-based data to guide decision-making.
• Community engagement: Working hand-in-hand with miners, farmers, and families to adopt practices that safeguard health and livelihoods.
• Targeted research: Planning follow-up studies to measure how these pollutants may affect people directly, focusing on the most vulnerable populations.
Rev. Dr. Esmond Quansah, Program Director, Africa- Pure Earth, delivering his welcome address.
A Path to Safer, Healthier Communities
The study confirms that while challenges exist, an important step can be taken toward ensuring that mining communities can thrive without compromising health or food security. With coordinated action government leadership, miner engagement, and strong community partnerships the country can reduce the impact of heavy metals while supporting sustainable livelihoods.
Pure Earth Ghana will continue to work closely with stakeholders to protect lives, restore environments, and support communities in building a healthier future.
Victoria Situ- Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.
Media contact and enquires, contact:
Nana Agyei Sikapa Ofosu-Manu
Communications Officer
Pure Earth Ghana
[email protected]/ +233558182560
