Ghana may import water if galamsey is not banned by law – Researcher predicts

Dr. Henry Ofosu Addo, an Environmental Parasitologist and Researcher, has predicted that Ghana will need to import water in the coming years if conscious efforts to stop illegal mining are not made (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 destroyed by unpatriotic and economically self-seeking Ghanaians.

Dr. Addo, a former lecturer at the Catholic University of Ghana, made the prediction in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Sunyani while discussing the environmental impact of ‘galamsey’ activities, adding that rivers played important roles 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 destroy the nation’s water bodies.

Dr. Addo expressed concern that dangerous chemicals such as mercury are released into water bodies during illegal mining operations, which has serious consequences such as killing all forms of life in the water bodies.

“The fish in the water absorb the mercury and are harvested for human consumption, indirectly killing us,” he emphasized.

According to Dr. Addo, illegal mining operations 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 must all pay attention to the situation because ‘galamsey’ has become a systemic problem that is widespread throughout the country, destroying our water bodies and threatening our existence,” he said.

“If we remain unconcerned, the situation will be disastrous, and posterity will not forgive us.”