Anaesthetists call on Mahama to take decisive action against galamsey

The Ghana Association of Certified Registered Anaesthetists (GACRA) has called on President John Dramani Mahama to take decisive action against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, citing concerns over its impact on public health and the environment.

The association’s President, James Nwinsagra, said the destruction of forest reserves, rivers and other water bodies through illegal mining activities posed a serious threat to the health and well-being of Ghanaians.

Speaking at GACRA’s 8th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Sessions in Accra, he described the situation as an existential threat, warning that the country was being exposed to harmful substances through the pollution of water bodies.

“We are all witnessing the heartless destruction of our forest reserves, rivers, and water bodies by the illegal mining activities. It is an existential threat to Ghanaians and we are literally being poisoned to death slowly,” he said.

Mr Nwinsagra expressed concern about what he described as an emergence of unusual health conditions, including childhood cancers, liver and kidney diseases, and respiratory infections, which he said were partly attributed to pollution of water bodies.

He acknowledged the efforts of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) in tackling illegal mining but insisted that more decisive action was needed to address the problem.

“We are calling on the President of the Republic of Ghana to take a decisive action on the matter now,” he added.

The GACRA President also raised concerns about the abuse of drugs among young people, particularly tramadol, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), alcohol and cannabis.

He called on the government, the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) and other relevant stakeholders to introduce stringent policies to regulate the practice, importation and use of drugs to curb substance abuse among the youth.

The association said addressing illegal mining and drug abuse was necessary to protect public health and safeguard the wellbeing of future generations.