The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) School of Veterinary Medicine has launched the Bee Health Club to safeguard Ghana's honey production and address the challenges posed by illegal mining, commonly known as "galamsey."

This initiative seeks to instill a culture of beekeeping among students, ensuring a sustainable future for the industry.

The Bee Health Club, supported by funding from the UK’s Agency for Plant and Animal Health, will provide students with hands-on training and knowledge about bee health, hive management, and sustainable beekeeping practices.

Professor Benjamin Emikpe, Dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine at KNUST, stressed the importance of instilling a beekeeping culture among students to ensure sustainable honey production.

“For sustainable honey production in Ghana, it is important to engage the youth early. Veterinarians, as well as students from the College of Education and the College of Agriculture, should be encouraged to understand the value of honey and the importance of bee health.”

Dr. William Tasiame, Head of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, stated that illegal mining, particularly deforestation, poses a serious threat to bee populations by destroying their natural habitats and reducing available forage.

“Bees need trees, and if the environment is being destroyed, as seen in the case of galamsey, it becomes a serious issue. We are cutting down trees and destroying our forests, which poses a significant challenge to the survival of bees. They need space, trees, flowers, and a conducive environment to reproduce, just as nature intended,” he added.

The initiative also aligns with calls from local bee farmers like Mr. Donyina Effah Kwasi Opoku, who urged the government to implement policies that promote youth participation in beekeeping.

“For many years after Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s attempt to establish a beekeeping industry, no other government has shown interest. We are calling on the government to implement a policy and empower the youth with kits and training.

This will create a valuable avenue for revenue generation for the country,” he said.