The Health Sector Unions and Professional Associations have raised concerns about the unchecked destruction of forest reserves, and water bodies, and the grave threats posed to public health and Ghana's ecosystem by individuals and organizations engaged in unethical and illegal mining, also known as galamsey.

According to them, the vast destruction of arable lands, deforestation, and rampant pollution of water bodies with harmful chemicals are worsening daily, leaving irreversible damage to the country’s environment and threatening a bleak future for the nation.

In a joint press statement issued on Friday, September 6, they emphasised that the survival of Ghana’s forests, water bodies, and ecosystems is directly tied to the survival of Ghanaians and urged the government to take immediate action to safeguard the nation’s future.

“The allegations that some political and traditional leaders are directly or indirectly involved in these acts of sabotage against the nation have become rampant and the apparent lax in law enforcement by the agencies entrusted with this responsibility gives credence to the allegations of they being complicit in Galamsey activities in Ghana,” part of the statement read.

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To address these issues and protect public health, the group called on all political parties to publicly declare and publish a signed document outlining their commitment to fighting illegal and unethical mining activities in Ghana.

“The President of the Republic of Ghana should direct a total ban on small-scale mining operations with immediate effect whether legal or illegal.

“The government of Ghana should strengthen regulatory enforcement by resourcing the relevant security agencies to clamp down on all persons who flout this directive and prosecute them expeditiously.”

The group stressed that, as health professionals, they are duty-bound to advocate for the health and safety of the public and urged President Akufo-Addo to take these necessary and urgent actions to halt the Galamsey menace.