By J. K. Nabary
Winneba (C/R), Oct 02, GNA-Mr Wilberforce Andrews, a United Nations (UN) Human Rights Activist has called on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to adhere to the cry calls of the citizenry to declare a state of emergency on illegal mining to review the mining Act to save Ghana.
He said if care were not taken to stop the continuous ecological degradation, destruction, pollution and the contamination of major rivers, streams and water bodies with harmful chemicals by galamsey activities, the country could experience another pandemic.
Mr Andrews who made the call in an interview with the Ghana News Agency on galamsey, regretted that despite the numerous efforts by the government, civil society organisations, social commentators and the public, to stop the menace, “galamseyers” continued to destroy the country’s natural resources.
He stated that apart from the damaging impact of such illegal mining posing a significant threat to the country’s environment, it was also linked to various adverse health effects which include, neurological disorders, respiratory diseases, cardiovascular issues and congenital defects.
According to him, the major factors influencing the activities of illegal mining in Ghana were the high unemployment rate, high dependency rate, poverty, mining mismanagement and high illiteracy which the government must take a second look at.
He further stated that the exposure of chemicals such as lead, mercury and cyanide among other heavy metals from mining and other inappropriate disposal of such waste and the galamsey menace had led to deaths among many children as well as congenital defects.
To address this menace, he suggested, drastic measures must be taken, especially with the enforcement of the mining laws, periodic community sensitisation and engagement on the effects and impact of such illegal activities on society.
He said there was a need for the creation of more job avenues for the youth to prevent them from indulging in such illegal acts which had become a serious national issue threatening lives and the economy.
“Water is life,” he said and urged the public to join the fight against galamsey to protect and save the rivers and streams from total pollution to prevent the country from spending huge amounts of money to import water.
GNA