Dr. Bright Boafo Boamah, a medical doctor and toxicologist, has cautioned that restoring Ghana’s water bodies polluted by illegal mining activities, known locally as galamsey, could take between 10 to 15 years.
Speaking in an interwiew, Dr. Boamah emphasized the severe and lasting environmental damage caused by galamsey operations. He highlighted that the extensive use of harmful chemicals and heavy metals such as mercury and cyanide in illegal mining has heavily contaminated the nation’s rivers and streams, complicating the restoration process.
The toxicologist also warned of the potential health hazards posed by these polluted water bodies, which carry risks of toxic exposure to both humans and wildlife. He urged for a more aggressive enforcement of environmental laws and called for the implementation of sustainable practices to prevent further damage to the country’s natural resources.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Boamah underscored the urgency of tackling the galamsey crisis, stressing that failure to act decisively now could result in devastating consequences for future generations.
The Toxicologist also noted that the contamination has broader health implications, including contributing to the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance. “Currently, many antibiotics are not responding as expected, and part of this is due to the presence of heavy metals, which have been shown to induce antimicrobial resistance,” he stated.
Dr. Boamah concluded with a call to action for both the public and civil society to rally behind efforts to restore Ghana’s water bodies and protect the environment. He warned that, in some cases, certain water sources may be beyond recovery.
SOURCE: http://dew360.net
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