Dr Henry Ofosu Addo, an environmental parasitologist and researcher, has projected that Ghana will need to import water in the coming years if conscious efforts to stop illegal mining are not formed (galamsey).
He stated that human health was linked to the environment, as well as the beautiful water bodies that nature had endowed Ghana with, but that these were being gradually devastated by treasonous and monetarily self-seeking Ghanaians.
Dr Addo, a former lecturer at the Catholic University of Ghana, made that announcement in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Sunyani while discussing the environmental impact of ‘galamsey’ activities, adding that rivers played a significant role in the socio-cultural and religious lives of many Ghanaians and had served Ghanaians since time immemorial.
He stated that rivers had been the primary source of water for the majority of Ghanaians for both drinking and other domestic purposes, and he urged both the government and all patriotic Ghanaians not to be unconcerned by allowing ‘galamseyers’ (illegal miners) to eviscerate the nation’s water bodies.
Dr Addo expressed worry that during illegal mining operations, dangerous chemicals like mercury are released into the water bodies, which had serious consequences such as killing all forms of life in the water bodies.
“The fishes in the water take the mercury in and are harvested for human beings to consume, thereby killing ourselves indirectly,” he emphasised.
According to Dr Addo, illegal mining activities released significant amounts of mercury into the air, causing severe damage to soils and water as well as health concerns for humans such as brain damage and other health complications.
“We all need to pay attention to the situation since ‘galamsey’ has become a systemic problem not only restricted to small parts of the country, but it is widespread nationwide destroying our water bodies and threatening our existence,” he stated.
“The situation will be disastrous, and posterity will not forgive us if we remain unconcerned.”
GNA
