“Now we’ve all turned to eating processed foods”: A photovoice study of the food and nutrition security implications of ‘galamsey’ in Ghana

Galamsey, a popular name for small-scale mining in Ghana, is an important livelihood many rural Ghanaians. Although concerns have been raised the media about adverse effects of galamsey on environment, human health, and livelihoods, there representational paucity evidence regarding its links with local food systems, particularly, from perspective affected communities. The current study explored community perceptions experiences perceived security livelihoods East Akim Municipality Eastern region Ghana. Primary data was collected using photovoice method. Thirty-six male female adults were purposively selected help focal persons advertisements Respondents participated one-day photography training thereafter, deployed to take at least fifteen photos that portray effect health. Subsequently, each participant asked select five photographs they taken explain why captured image. A photo exhibition held facilitate conversation perspectives nutrition security. Galamsey has resulted degradation of, otherwise, fertile agricultural land, contamination freshwater sources. As consequence, reduced cultivable crop production, shortage essential staple foods, increase price, increased consumption ultra-processed foods. There also perception exposure heavy metals like mercury locally-produced food. Given health consequences both insecurity, processed it public policy discussions minimize Ghana should include considerations insecurity Key words: mining, galamsey, security, agriculture, land degradation, system