The contamination of water bodies in mining areas across the country has reached alarming levels, threatening our drinking water sources and overall public health. There is an urgent need for citizens to demand an immediate halt to illegal mining activities to protect lives, forests, and the environment.
Dr. Thomas Anaba, former Greater Accra Regional Medical Director of Health and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for Garu, highlighted these concerns on the Adekyee Mu Nsem morning show on Ahotor 92.3 FM, hosted by Citizen Kofi Owusu in Accra. He stressed that the contamination is severely impacting children, families, and entire communities that rely on these water sources for their livelihoods.
Dr. Anaba pointed out that regulatory agencies tasked with protecting natural habitats, which are essential for providing clean air and ensuring good health, are failing to address the threats posed by illegal mining. He called for concerted government efforts to halt these activities and protect the environment.
He also criticized politicians and individuals with government connections who are using illegal mining, or “galamsey,” for personal profit, endangering public health and the environment in the process.
In a related development, organized labor has issued a strong warning to the government. The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has set an ultimatum for the end of September for the government to take decisive action against illegal small-scale mining.
The TUC, in a statement from its Secretary General, called for several measures: the immediate declaration of a state of emergency in galamsey-affected areas, a halt to all mining in forest reserves, the establishment of special courts for prosecuting offenders, and the deployment of the military to dismantle illegal mining equipment. The Congress attributed widespread environmental destruction to the government’s failure to act decisively.
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