GAMLS Urges Government to Ban Galamsey

The Ghana Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists (GAMLS) has raised concerns about the serious health risks posed by illegal mining, commonly known as ‘galamsey’.

In a statement, the Association blamed the government for failing to address the issue, pointing out the severe health problems caused by prolonged exposure to toxic chemicals such as mercury and arsenic.

“Despite the severe health risks, we are dismayed by the lack of government interest in stopping these illegal activities, which threaten our existence and destroy essential resources like water bodies and farmlands,” the statement read.

These risks include vision impairments, skin disorders, cardiovascular issues, liver and kidney damage, respiratory diseases, cancer, birth defects, neurological disorders, and even death.

The economic consequences are equally concerning, with rising health care costs, reduced productivity, pollution, and loss of family income.

GAMLS stressed that the government’s failure to act will further harm the already struggling health sector, which has yet to meet the 15% health budget allocation set by the Abuja declaration.

The Association also warned that polluted water sources and soil present major health risks to communities depending on them for drinking, farming, and household use. GAMLS is urging all stakeholders, especially the government, to ban small-scale mining activities to mitigate the harmful health effects of galamsey.

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PRESS RELEASE

HEALTH AND ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF GALAMSEY: A CALL TO ACTION

The Ghana Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists (GAMLS) is deeply concerned about the devastating health impacts of illegal mining, known as Galamsey, on communities and the environment. Despite the severe health risks, we are dismayed by the lack of government interest in stopping these illegal activities, which threaten our existence and destroy essential resources like water bodies and farmlands.

Prolonged exposure to toxic chemicals like mercury and arsenic used in Galamsey has been linked to severe health problems, including vision defects, skin defects, cardiovascular challenges, liver and kidney damage, respiratory diseases, cancer, birth defects, and neurological disorders as well as death. The economic implications are equally alarming, with increasing health budgets to address emerging health conditions, decreased productivity, pollution, and loss of family income. It is important to note that the government is struggling to meet the minimum 15 percent health budget allocation per the Abuja declaration. Inaction by the government will further negatively impact the health sector.

The pollution of water sources and soil poses significant health risks to nearby communities, that rely on these resources for drinking, farming, and domestic use. The Ghana Water Company’s concerns about water loss and processing costs are particularly worrying.

GAMLS urges the government, stakeholders, and the public to take immediate action to address the health impacts of Galamsey. We recommend an immediate suspension of small-scale mining activities for a broad stakeholder engagement on the Wayford.

We also call on civil society organizations, associations, and the General public to pressure the

government to end the threat using all available legal and socially acceptable means.

We call on the government to show leadership in protecting the lives of citizens and future generations. GAMLS stands ready to support efforts to address this critical issue.

We declare our solidarity with like-minded bodies and unions committed to exerting pressure on the government to address the devastating health impacts of Galamsey. We are prepared to support

and participate in industrial actions and other legal measures to ensure that our concerns are heard and addressed.

Dr. Abu Abudu Rahamani, MLS

(President)

Dr. Solomon D.Y. Kwashie, MLS

(General Secretary)