By Mildred Siabi-Mensah, GNA
Takoradi, April 27, GNA – Dr. Saiid Kwasi Adu, a Preventive Health Coach, says Ghanaians are eating to death from the remnants of illegal mining activities and constant chemical pollutions to water bodies and lands.
He queried, “How does galamsey benefit us if we get money from it today but sacrifice our health tomorrow?
We eat to live but we do not eat to die,” adding that it was now necessary to see illegal mining as a health problem so that all political leaders can help to end the crisis.
“If our political leaders cannot have the courage to talk about it as a health issue now, our men of God and spiritual leaders can lead this campaign very well. Pastors and Imams have the platform to educate Ghanaians about the health implications of galamsey”, he added in an interview with the Ghana News Agency on Monday.
Dr. Adu said very soon, many more health problems related to galamsey would surface if the country did not take the urgent steps to end the deadly activities.
“We should not wait until we see the full negative impact of galamsey on our health before we begin this communal fight in our religious communities since it will be too late”, he said.
He said, as the advocacy and education from civil societies, relevant agencies and associations continued, the government must take the bold steps to reverse the illegal practice adding, “those who are making money from this illegal mining activity should be made to realise the harm they are doing to themselves and other citizens especially those who live in the areas where these illegal activities go on “.
He noted that whatever poison that the Ghanaian was consuming from galamsey activities would take some time to manifest on the health status and create a huge burden on national health security, productivity and general wellbeing of families.
The Preventive Health Coach revealed the massive impact of illegal mining on farming and riverine communities impeding livelihoods.
“I am not sure if any of the rivers in the galamsey areas have any life in them now. These rivers can no longer serve as sources of irrigation and drinking water any longer. We are poisoning ourselves through the foods that we plant in the galamsey areas. No Ghanaian is free from the negative effects of galamsey”, he reminded.
GNA
Edited by Justina Hilda Paaga/Kenneth Odeng Adade
Reporter: Mildred Siabi-Mensah
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