Health Workers Call On President Akufo-Addo To Implement A Complete Ban On Mining Activities

Health professionals across Ghana are urging President Akufo-Addo to impose a prompt and immediate ban on all forms of small-scale mining.

The call comes amid growing concerns about the harmful effects that mining, particularly illegal mining, or “galamsey,” can have on people’s health.

The group, which includes doctors, nurses, environmental health officers, and other allied health professionals, brought attention to the alarming rise in respiratory and waterborne diseases in mining communities in a joint statement.

The health workers cautioned that, mining without rigid guidelines represents an extreme danger to the health and prosperity of Ghanaians, particularly those in remote regions.

The water contamination, deforestation, and air contamination that mining poses to public health were emphasized in the coalition’s statement.

The health workers say that toxic chemicals like mercury and cyanide, which are often used in mining, are leaching into water bodies and putting people and animals in danger.

As indicated by their statement:

“The increase in cases of respiratory illnesses, skin infections, and waterborne diseases such as cholera and diarrhoea in these communities is a direct consequence of the unchecked mining activities.”

“This must be addressed with urgency because we are witnessing an ecological disaster with direct implications for human health.”

The group also wants all political parties to publicly state that they will fight against illegal mining.

The Ghana Medical Association (GMA), the Government and Hospital Pharmacists Association (GHOSPA), the Medical Laboratory Professional Workers’ Union (MELPWU), the Mortuary Workers’ Association of Ghana (MOWAG), the Ghana Association of Certified Registered Anesthetists (GACRA), the Health Accounting Staff Association (HASAG), and the Ghana Physician Assistants Association (GPAA) are all members of this organization.

These People Have Been Jailed 340 Years For Indulging In Illegal Mining

Similar to the 2017 temporary ban on illegal mining, the coalition urged President Akufo-Addo to impose a complete ban on mining.

Health professionals say that over the years, there has been no success in trying to stop all illegal mining in the country. In fact, nothing has been done to stop the operations that keep wrecking communities.

The administration of President Akufo-Addo had previously stated that it will work to stop illegal mining and restore Ghana’s water bodies, but the problem still exists.