Galamsey’s Hidden Toll on Future Generations

Dr. Chris Aminarh, in a recent interview on 3Music TV, warns of an impending public health crisis, particularly due to the contamination of water and food sources by heavy metals like mercury and arsenic, which are released through these illegal mining practices.

The dangers of galamsey extend beyond environmental destruction. Mercury and arsenic, commonly used in the extraction of gold, seep into rivers and soils, ultimately contaminating drinking water and crops. This exposure poses severe health risks, particularly for vulnerable groups such as pregnant women and children. Dr. Aminarh underscores the potential for serious developmental issues like neural tube defects, cleft palate, and growth restrictions, all linked to long-term exposure to these heavy metals. Over time, bioaccumulation—the gradual buildup of toxins in the body—can lead to severe illnesses, but the effects might not be fully realized until years or decades later.

Dr. Aminarh's statement, "The problems we won't see now started years ago," alludes to the delayed onset of health problems resulting from past contamination, making the issue even more insidious. If immediate steps aren't taken to curb illegal mining and address public health risks, future generations will bear the brunt of today's inaction. The call for stricter regulation and monitoring of mining practices, coupled with stronger public health interventions, is essential to prevent irreversible harm to the population, particularly in rural communities heavily dependent on contaminated natural resources.

In essence, galamsey poses an unseen yet growing threat to Ghana's future, and urgent measures are needed to avert a public health disaster.