Dr. Bright Boafo Boamah, a medical doctor and toxicologist, has stated that it may take 10 to 15 years to restore Ghana's water bodies that have been polluted by illegal mining activities, commonly referred to as galamsey. During his appearance on JoyNews' Newsfile program on Saturday, October 12, Dr. Boamah highlighted the significant environmental harm caused by galamsey and the extensive timeframe needed to rehabilitate these water sources.
He explained that the chemicals and heavy metals used in illegal mining, such as mercury and cyanide, have severely contaminated Ghana’s rivers and streams, complicating and prolonging the restoration process.
Dr. Boamah pointed out that even with immediate action, ecological recovery will require long-term strategies, including ongoing monitoring and remediation efforts. He also underscored the health risks associated with these contaminated water bodies, which pose toxic exposure threats to both humans and wildlife.
He emphasized the critical need for the stringent enforcement of environmental laws and urged the government to adopt sustainable solutions to prevent further degradation of the nation’s natural resources.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Boamah called on all stakeholders to take the fight against galamsey seriously, warning that inaction could have dire consequences for future generations. He appealed to civil society and the general public to support initiatives aimed at restoring the country's water bodies and safeguarding the environment.
He noted,
Currently, most antibiotics are not effective because of improper use and prescriptions, but heavy metals have also been shown to induce antimicrobial resistance. This is a complex issue, and even if we begin the restoration of the water bodies now, it could take between 10 to 15 years to achieve this, with some water bodies potentially irreparable.
Credit:MyJoyOnline.
