The Ghana Hotels Association (GHA) has revealed that a growing number of its member hotels are being forced to import fish from abroad, as guests—particularly expatriates—increasingly refuse to consume locally caught fish over health concerns linked to illegal mining pollution.
Speaking in an interview on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, the Association’s Second Vice President, Benjamin Afunya, said the destructive impact of illegal mining—popularly known as galamsey—on Ghana’s water bodies has dealt a severe blow to the hospitality sector. He explained that hotel managers now often find themselves in the awkward position of having to reassure guests that the fish being served is imported.
“We import fish from abroad and that is costing us a lot. The reason is that the guests who book our facilities don’t want to eat fish from Ghana. So we have to convince them that the fish we give them are imported,” Afunya stated. “Even with the stabilisation of the cedi against the dollar, importing these items is expensive.”
Vegetables Also Imported
The problem extends beyond fish. Afunya disclosed that the majority of vegetables used by high-end hotels are also imported, as the Ghanaian market consistently fails to satisfy their specific operational demands.
“Are you aware that the vegetables we use in our hotels are imported from abroad? The Ghanaian market is unable to meet our demand and so we are forced to import the vegetables from abroad,” he said. He noted that the association had hoped the government would include the hospitality industry when it launched the Planting for Food and Jobs programme, “but that did not happen”. “We are not able to produce the size or type of vegetables we need,” he added.
The reliance on imports is not new. In a 2024 interview, Afunya had already revealed that seventy percent of hotel owners import vegetables, chicken, and fish due to low local quality standards. At the time, he warned that the cedi’s depreciation had left many hoteliers in debt, with at least ten members forced to convert their hotels into other businesses.
Health Concerns and Environmental Devastation
The hospitality sector’s struggle reflects a broader national crisis. The Fisheries Commission has warned that illegal mining activities in wetlands are making it increasingly difficult for young people, including agriculture graduates, to secure land for fish farming projects. Abigail Quarshie, Ashanti Regional Director of the Fisheries Commission, noted that several fish farms in Obuasi and surrounding communities have already been forced to fold up due to galamsey activities.
“Ghana is one of the biggest fish-eating countries in the world and each Ghanaian takes about 25 kilos of fish every year,” she said. She warned that continued destruction of wetlands and water bodies through illegal mining could undermine the country’s ability to produce enough fish locally.
The health risks are equally alarming. Mercury used in gold amalgamation transforms into methylmercury in aquatic systems and bioaccumulates in fish consumed by families far removed from mining sites. A systematic review found mercury poisoning in 40% of affected populations, mainly due to consumption of contaminated fish and water. Mercury levels in fish from the Bonsa River were recorded at 2.0 mg/kg—disproportionately higher than levels in other rivers.
Wider Economic Impact
Researchers have indicated that over 60 percent of Ghana’s water bodies are now contaminated due to galamsey. The Ghana Water Company has warned in recent years that galamsey pollution has made water treatment extremely difficult, with rising turbidity levels in major rivers threatening water supply systems across the country.
The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture has revealed that Ghana’s annual demand for fish is about 1.2 million metric tonnes. With local production under threat from environmental degradation, the gap between demand and supply continues to widen, putting pressure on both the hospitality industry and ordinary Ghanaians.
Defending Hotel Prices
Responding to public concerns regarding steep hotel charges, Afunya admitted that accommodation and dining rates are high. However, he defended the pricing, citing excessive levies, fees, taxes, regulatory charges, and heavy maintenance costs as the primary drivers.
The Ghana Hotels Association has previously called on the government to reduce these charges and to provide support for the hospitality industry, which continues to struggle with rising operational costs and the burden of imports driven by local production shortfalls.
