The Ghana Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists (GAMLS) has expressed grave concern over the alarming health risks posed by illegal mining, also known as ‘galamsey’.
In a strongly worded statement, the Association condemned the government’s inaction in addressing this critical issue, highlighting the severe and far-reaching health risks associated with prolonged exposure to toxic chemicals like mercury and arsenic.
These health risks, the Association warned, include a range of debilitating and potentially fatal conditions, such as vision defects, skin defects, cardiovascular challenges, liver and kidney damage, respiratory diseases, cancer, birth defects, neurological disorders, and even death.
Moreover, the economic implications of galamsey are equally alarming, with increasing health budgets, decreased productivity, pollution, and loss of family income.
GAMLS emphasized that the government’s failure to act will only exacerbate the already struggling health sector, which is barely meeting the minimum 15% health budget allocation as stipulated in the Abuja declaration.
The Association stressed that the pollution of water sources and soil poses significant health risks to nearby communities that rely on these resources for drinking, farming, and domestic use.
Furthermore, the Association highlighted the long-term consequences of galamsey, including the contamination of food chains, the destruction of ecosystems, and the displacement of communities.
GAMLS also noted that the health impacts of galamsey are not limited to nearby communities, but also affect the broader population, including children, pregnant women, and the elderly, who are most vulnerable to the toxic effects of mercury and arsenic.
To mitigate these health impacts, GAMLS urgently calls on stakeholders, particularly the government, to take decisive action and ban small-scale mining activities.
The Association’s appeal underscores the need for immediate intervention to protect the health and well-being of affected communities and prevent further devastation from galamsey. GAMLS also recommends the establishment of a task force to monitor and enforce regulations, as well as the provision of alternative livelihoods for those affected by the ban.
