Water bodies polluted by ‘galamsey’ could take 15 years to recover – Dr. Bright Boamah
Dr. Bright Boafo Boamah, a Medical Doctor and Toxicologist, has expressed concerns that it could take between 10 to 15 years to fully restore Ghana’s water bodies contaminated by illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.
Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, October 12, 2024, Dr. Boamah emphasized the severe environmental damage caused by galamsey and the complex restoration process ahead.
He noted that toxic chemicals such as mercury and cyanide, used in illegal mining, have deeply polluted water sources, making it difficult to reverse the contamination.
Dr. Boamah also highlighted the serious health risks posed by exposure to these chemicals, warning that they endanger both human health and wildlife. He further explained that heavy metals contribute to antimicrobial resistance, complicating medical treatments.
“Currently, most of the antibiotics are not responding because normally it’s due to poor use of antibiotics or prescriptions, but it has also been shown that this heavy metal induces some antimicrobial resistance.”
“So, we are not really dealing with a very simple issue and even if we should look at how to restore the water bodies and if we should start now, I think somewhere between 10-15 [Years] to be able to do this and I know there are some water bodies that cannot be restored,” Dr Boamah stated.
Dr. Bright Boamah urged the government to strictly enforce environmental regulations and implement sustainable measures to prevent further degradation.
He called for collective action from civil society, government, and the public to tackle the issue, warning that future generations would suffer the consequences if swift action is not taken.
