The Ghana Medical Association has been petitioned to haul before its disciplinary committee and sanction Dr. Nana Ayew Afriyie, Member of Parliament for Effiduase-Asokore in the Ashanti Region for daring to stand against the common position of the association in its call to ban illegal mining.

The petitioner, Dr. (Med) Samuel Ayeh, a member of the GMA, wants Dr. (Med) Nana Ayew Afriyie to be hauled before the disciplinary committee to answer questions and be severely sanctioned to "send the strongest of signals about the association's commitment to the fight against illegal mining" and "most importantly signal to all members of the association the need to maintain high ethical standards befitting of medical practitioners in Ghana."

Dr. (Med) Ayew Afriyie's comments, that for political expediency the ruling New Patriotic Party will never ban illegal mining (Galamsey), has been among the most topical of issues this week.

In a viral video said to have been captured during a public address at the weekend, (September 28, 2024) Dr. Afriyie is heard expressing vehement support for illegal mining activities. He has since been widely criticised across both traditional and social media.

Dr. Ayeh's petition points out the troubling implications of such comments, especially coming from a seasoned medical professional who should know better.

In his plea to the GMA, Dr. Ayeh emphasised that Dr. Afriyie’s stance on galamsey contradicts the association’s official position on the matter. In a September 6, 2024 press release, the GMA, along with other allied health organisations, condemned the environmental and health hazards caused by illegal mining, and called on the government to impose a complete ban on small-scale mining operations.

Illegal Mining’s Environmental and Health Impact

Galamsey, the colloquial term for illegal mining in Ghana, has become a national crisis, leaving devastating impacts on the environment. The practice involves crude methods of gold extraction, often using chemicals such as mercury and cyanide, which contaminate water bodies.

These water sources, essential for household consumption, have been heavily polluted, leading to serious health problems in mining areas, including skin diseases and respiratory illnesses. Recently, the Ghana Water Company was forced to shut down operations in Cape Coast, Elmina, and Kyebi, due to extensive pollution of the Pra and Birim rivers, which caused damage to their machinery.

The petition stresses that Dr. Afriyie, as a medical professional, is fully aware of these dangers.

Dr. Ayeh called his statements "retrogressive and irresponsible," suggesting that such remarks from a medical doctor only deepen the struggles of communities already suffering from galamsey’s toxic effects.

He also expressed fears that the public might misinterpret Dr. Afriyie’s comments as representing the official stance of the GMA’s over 10,000 members.

A Call for Accountability

Dr. Ayeh argued that Dr. Afriyie’s comments constitute gross misconduct, which could bring the GMA’s reputation into disrepute and urged the association to act swiftly, invoking Article 24 of the GMA’s constitution to summon Dr. Afriyie before the association’s Disciplinary Committee.

Dr. Ayeh further recommended that the committee apply the appropriate sanctions, which may include suspension from the association, in order to send a clear message about the importance of maintaining professional and ethical standards.

"This is about protecting the integrity of the medical profession in Ghana," Dr. Ayeh wrote, saying "If leadership does not act, the image of the association could suffer irreparable damage going forward."