Several Health Sector Unions and Professional Associations have urgently called for action against small-scale mining and illegal mining activities, commonly known as Galamsey, citing the severe environmental and public health crises they are causing in Ghana.
The unions voiced their concerns over the unchecked destruction of forest reserves and water bodies, emphasizing the significant threats to public health and the ecosystem.
Despite repeated warnings and public discussions, the situation has worsened, with rampant pollution from harmful chemicals like mercury, lead, and cyanide.
“The widespread destruction of arable lands, deforestation, and pollution of water bodies continues unabated, causing irreversible damage to our environment,” the unions stated.
They also highlighted allegations of complicity by some political and traditional leaders, coupled with lax law enforcement.
The Ghana Water Company has reported a significant decline in water production due to pollution from Galamsey, with a 60% reduction in the Western Region and 30% in the Central Region.
Additionally, Ghana’s cocoa production has suffered, leading to lower yields and reduced quality.
Scientific studies have linked this pollution to an increase in birth defects, kidney diseases, cancers, and other serious health conditions.
The unions warned that without immediate intervention, Ghana is on the brink of an environmental disaster that will severely impact the health and future of its citizens.
The unions put forward several demands, including an outright ban on all small-scale mining, both legal and illegal, along with stronger regulatory enforcement.
They also urged all political parties to publicly commit to combating illegal mining activities.
“As health professionals, we have a duty to advocate for the public’s health and safety. We call on the President of the Republic of Ghana to take urgent and necessary action to stop the destruction caused by Galamsey,” the statement added.
The unions involved include the Ghana Medical Association (GMA), Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA), Government and Hospital Pharmacists Association (GHOSPA), Health Services Workers Union of Ghana – TUC, Medical Laboratory Professional Workers’ Union (MELPWU), Mortuary Workers’ Association of Ghana (MOWAG), Ghana Association of Certified Registered Anesthetists (GACRA), Health Accounting Staff Association (HASAG), and the Ghana Physician Assistants Association (GPAA).
