The Pediatric Society of Ghana is renewing calls for President John Mahama to declare illegal mining a state of emergency, stressing the dire health consequences of the activity on children.

In an open letter to the President, the society warned of the severe threats the illicit operations pose to children’s health and brain development, with irreversible consequences for Ghana’s future.

The pediatricians highlighted how children continue to drown in open pits left by galamsey activities and the impact of toxic substances including mercury, lead, arsenic, and cyanide released into water sources, soil, and the food chain.

They explained the poisonous chemicals have been confirmed to be transferable to their unborn babies negatively impacting their development and growth.

“Pregnant women and young children are exposed through contaminated drinking water, fish, crops, and household dust. These toxins easily cross the placenta and enter breast milk, affecting children during their most critical developmental stages,” the statement highlighted.

They further impressed on how scientific evidence has shown that the toxic exposure causes:

1. Permanent brain damage with no safe exposure level
2. Reduced IQ and learning capacity
3. Speech delays and behavioral disorders
4. Anaemia, stunted growth, and weakened immune systems
5. Kidney and liver damage
6. Increased risk of chronic disease later in life

The group posits the consequence of illegal mining is not only peculiar to children but has dire implications on socioeconomic growth.

“The damage extends far beyond individual health. Children exposed to mining toxins experience poor academic performance and higher dropout rates, leading to reduced adult productivity and earnings,” the letter noted.

It continued: “Even unborn babies are not spared from heavy metal poisoning. The World Health Organization estimates that lead exposure alone costs low and middle-income countries hundreds of billions of dollars annually in lost economic productivity”.

Ghana currently faces mounting healthcare costs for dialysis, cancer treatment, and disability support, straining the health system and national finances.

The Paediatric Society of Ghana enumerated some recommendations for immediate adoption and action including:

1. Declaration of galamsey a child health emergency
2. Protection and monitoring all water sources serving pregnant women, children, and schools
3. Screening for heavy metals in high-risk districts nationwide
4. Enforcing zero tolerance against illegal mining
5. Establishing long-term child development monitoring programmes
6. Including child health impact assessments in all mining and environmental policies

The organisation called on the government to as a matter of urgency treat the environmental menace as a national emergency requiring immediate action.

The society emphasised that strong human capital, not natural resources alone, determines a nation’s success.

“Galamsey creates a destructive cycle: it damages the environment, undermines health and productivity, and weakens Ghana’s capacity to manage resources responsibly. Protecting children from galamsey is framed as a moral, medical, and economic imperative essential to Ghana’s long-term development and competitiveness,” the open letter said.