Illegal Mining Threatens Major Ghana Highway: Perseus Mining Warns of Potential Closure

A senior executive at one of Ghana's major mining operations has raised alarm over the escalating threat posed by illegal mining activities along the Ayanfuri-Diaso highway, warning that continued unabated operations could render the critical transport corridor unusable.

Alexander Kofi Oduro, General Manager of Perseus Mining Ghana's Edikan Mine, cautioned that if the illegal mining menace is not urgently addressed, the highway faces imminent closure. The warning underscores the deepening tension between formal mining operations, artisanal miners, and the broader socioeconomic interests of communities dependent on the route.

The Highway at Risk

The Ayanfuri-Diaso highway serves as a vital transport artery for the Central Region, connecting communities and facilitating commercial activity across one of Ghana's key mining zones. Illegal mining—commonly referred to as galamsey in local parlance—has historically degraded infrastructure, contaminated water sources, and destabilised soil stability in mining regions.

The specific threat to this highway suggests that illegal mining operations along its corridor are causing physical damage to the road surface and surrounding terrain, potentially through soil excavation, water runoff, or direct encroachment. Such deterioration can accelerate road collapse and render major highways impassable, isolating rural communities and disrupting supply chains.

Wider Impact on Communities and Commerce

Closure of the Ayanfuri-Diaso highway would have cascading effects beyond mere inconvenience. Communities relying on the route for access to markets, healthcare facilities, and educational institutions would face severe mobility constraints. Local traders and transporters would incur higher costs navigating alternative routes, raising prices for goods and services across the region.

The warning also highlights competing land-use pressures in Ghana's mining heartland. Formal mining operators like Perseus Mining invest substantially in infrastructure and regulatory compliance, yet illegal miners operating without oversight or safety protocols often undermine these efforts and pose direct threats to existing economic activities.

Why It Matters for Ghana

This situation reflects a persistent challenge facing Ghana's mining sector. Despite government crackdowns on illegal mining, galamsey operations continue across major regions, driven by poverty, limited livelihood alternatives, and weak enforcement in remote areas. The threat to a major highway demonstrates how illegal mining extends beyond environmental and health concerns to directly jeopardise national infrastructure and economic connectivity.

Ghana's government has repeatedly committed to tackling illegal mining, yet implementation remains inconsistent. A highway closure would represent a highly visible failure of state capacity to protect critical infrastructure and public welfare. It would also undermine investor confidence in Ghana's ability to maintain stable operating environments for legitimate businesses.

For ordinary Ghanaians, particularly those in the Central Region, the risk to the Ayanfuri-Diaso highway is a concrete illustration of how unchecked illegal mining compromises everyday life—from increased transport costs to reduced access to services.

The Path Forward

Addressing this threat requires coordinated action: increased patrols and enforcement along the highway corridor, alternative livelihood programmes for artisanal miners, community engagement to explain the risks, and investment in rehabilitation of already-damaged sections. Formal mining operators like Perseus Mining can play a role by reporting illegal activities and supporting community initiatives, whilst government must demonstrate sustained political will to enforce existing regulations.

Without urgent intervention, the Ayanfuri-Diaso highway could become yet another casualty of Ghana's ongoing galamsey crisis—a stark reminder that the nation's infrastructure and social cohesion depend on effective governance and rule of law in its mining regions.