Environmental and socioeconomic consequences of illegal mining (Galamsey) on river bodies and food security in Ghana: a systematic review

Purpose This study examines the environmental impact of illegal mining on river bodies, evaluates how river degradation affects food security and investigates the socioeconomic consequences for communities dependent on agriculture and fishing. Design/methodology/approach A systematic review design was adopted, guided by the PRISMA framework. The study screened 87 publications across databases narrowing to 13 methodologically sound studies. Data were extracted using structured protocols, analyzed with descriptive statistics and one way ANOVA to test differences in agricultural productivity between mining and non mining areas. Findings Key findings show that river bodies such as Bonsa and Abuakwaa are heavily contaminated with mercury (0.049 mg/L) and iron (0.85 mg/L), exceeding WHO safety limits and rendering water unsafe for drinking and irrigation, crop yields in mining areas declined significantly, with cocoa and maize yields reduced by nearly 50%, confirming a direct link between river degradation and food insecurity and over 65% of farmers and 58% of fishers lost their livelihoods due to land degradation and declining fish stocks, intensifying poverty and migration pressures. Originality/value The originality of this research lies in its systematic synthesis, which integrates fragmented case studies into a comprehensive national perspective, bridging knowledge gaps and providing evidence based guidance for policy and practice.