The lack of political will, coupled with the effects of illegal mining, also known as galamsey, has compelled Associations and Trade Unions in the Health Sector in Ghana to sound alarm bells over the menace, which is steadily destroying the environment.
The health sector associations lamented over claims that some political and traditional leaders are directly or indirectly involved in these acts against the environment and added that the lack of law enforcement by the security agencies lends credence to these allegations.
In a statement addressed to Jubilee House, the health workers stated that they are duty-bound to raise red flag over the looming repercussions of galamsey on Ghanaians.
“As health professionals, we are duty-bound to advocate for the health and safety of the public. We, therefore, urge the President of the Republic of Ghana to take these necessary and urgent actions to halt the galamsey menace, which threatens the future and the very survival of this country.”
The group reminded government that they will be following up on how the state deals with the galamsey menace.
“Leadership of our Associations and Trade Unions will be following keenly how events unfold and would like to state that we cannot guarantee industrial harmony if our demands are not heeded. We must act swiftly to save our environment and water bodies now,” the group advised in their statement.
The amalgamated health unions also expressed their displeasure over the lack of political will by government and parliament in addressing the galamsey menace, which is threatening the survival of Ghanaians.
In the statement sighted by The Chronicle, the group, therefore, asked President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to do the needful, or they will embark on strike to push for their demand.
In a direct message to the President the statement read: “The President of the Republic of Ghana should direct a total ban on small scale mining operations with immediate effect, whether legal or illegal. It told the Jubilee House.
“The Government of Ghana should strengthen regulatory enforcement by resourcing the relevant security agencies to clamp down all persons who flout this directive and prosecute them expeditiously.”
The group also called for a social contract between political actors campaigning to ascend the seat of government, by making public their declaration against galamsey and that they are ready to fight to save Ghana from the abyss.
“All political parties should make a public declaration and publish a duly signed document on their commitment to fight, illegal and unethical mining activities in Ghana.
“The survival of our forests, water bodies, and ecosystems is directly linked to the survival of our people. It is imperative that the government acts now, without delay, to safeguard the future of our dear nation Ghana.
“The ineffectiveness of the Executive and Legislature in dealing decisively with Galamsey is resulting in the continuous loss of lives and the slow poisoning of many others in Galamsey prone areas and indeed the entire population,” the statement said.
The group expressed worry about the grim picture media reportage has painted over the last few years, highlighting the increased number of deaths occurring at galamsey sites.
The group reminded Ghanaians about how the Ghana Water Company has increased its cost of production, following the high turbidity of rivers due to illegal mining.
It said: “The Ghana Water Company recently reported a reduction in water production by over 60% in Western region, 30% in Central region with a total loss of about 50% of treated water due to the pollution and silting from Galamsey activities.”
According to statement, Ghana’s cocoa production in recent times has been severely affected by Galamsey activities, resulting in lower yields, decreased quantities for export and reduced quality of the cocoa beans.
On the deadly repercussions of galamsey on the health of Ghanaians, it mentioned that chemicals such as mercury and cyanide among others are injurious to the health of Ghanaians, giving rise to diseases such as cancers and kidney diseases among others.
”Several scientific publications have linked the pollution of our water bodies and the general environment with a rise in birth and developmental defects, kidney diseases, cancers as well as other serious medical conditions.
“Efforts by the media and Civil Society Organisations have yielded little impact. We are at a point where if immediate action is not taken Ghana will face an environmental catastrophe that will severely compromise the health, well-being, and future of its people.
“Therefore, we as Associations and Trade Unions in the Health Sector holding Collective Bargaining Certificates on behalf of health sector employees make the following demands.”
Touching on how the fight against illegal mining has been difficult in this republic, it noted that their various Associations and Unions have issued press statements and actively participated in public discussions on numerous occasions regarding the risks posed to the health of Ghanaians.
According to them, it was their hope that the actions of their sister unions would halt this development but unfortunately galamsey continue to fester under the watch of Ghanaian authorities.
“It was our hope that their warnings would have helped deter the individuals and organizations involved in the unethical and illegal mining to curtail their activities.
“However, the vast destruction of arable lands, deforestation and rampant pollution of water bodies with harmful chemicals from surface mining activities such as mercury, lead and cyanide continue unabated and the situation is getting worse by the day leaving irreversible damage to our environment which portends a bleak future for our nation Ghana,” the statement added.
