Let’s fight ‘galamsey’ head-on

 Illegal small-scale mining, known as ‘galamsey,’ is wreaking havoc on our communities and environ­ment. It is imperative that we act now to put an end to this practice before future generations suffer as a result.

Galamsey has significantly contributed to habitat destruction, devastation of farmlands, and pol­lution of the air, water, and soil.

Horrifying sights of stillborn newborns with malformations in galamsey locations are all attribut­ed to galamsey in Ghana.

Many health problems, includ­ing cancer, mercury poisoning, and respiratory disorders, are brought on by the pollution of our water bodies, which makes it difficult for people to access clean drinking water.

Mosquitoes are thriving in the runoff water from abandoned mine holes because of the deteriorating environment. As a result, Ghana’s natural beauty has declined.

Galamsey is primarily to blame for Ghana’s low food production, fluctuations in food prices, and high cost of living, particularly in areas where the practice is common as it displaces farmers.

Unfortunately, it appears that the more we discuss this subject, the more ‘galamseyers’ engage in their illicit operations with impuni­ty, seriously harming the environ­ment in the process. This is what makes the situation so unsettling.

It is clear that people who participate in the practice have no regard for the tremendous harm their acts cause to the environment and local residents’ health, among other things. Their only concern is maximising their profits at the expense of others.

In fact, tourists looking for sustainable destinations may be discouraged by these detrimental effects on the environment which is endangering both the current and the future generations.

What kind of legacy are we leaving for future generations, and where is Ghana headed?

The Spectator is pleading with the authorities to act right now because these illicit operations are endangering the health and safety of the communities around them and nobody is safe.

There are more people going into galamsey, and those who do so say there are no jobs available. Even women can occasionally be drawn into galamsey, despite the fact that it is typically associated with men.

According to available data, the threat of galamsey is linked to child fatalities, cognitive impairments that impair children’s ability to learn, and congenital malforma­tions. We are therefore pushing for more research on the detrimental effects of galamsey on women’s and children’s health.

We hope the government will create more job opportunities for the youth.

We also implore the govern­ment to collaborate with religious bodies, Civil Society Organisations, traditional authoritis, communities among others to take urgent steps to fight the menace of galamsey, especially by upholding the legisla­tion that forbids it in order to cre­ate a healthy environment for all.