The Paediatric Society of Ghana has issued a strong national appeal to the government, urging immediate and decisive action against illegal mining, widely known as galamsey, warning of its devastating impact on children’s health and future generations.
In a formal letter addressed to the President and dated April 22, 2026—coinciding with Earth Day—the society combined a congratulatory message with a stark warning, describing galamsey as both a present and generational crisis.
The medical body commended Ghana’s leadership for its role in advancing global recognition of the transatlantic slave trade as a crime against humanity. However, it stressed that the country now faces a “modern injustice” in the form of environmental destruction caused by illegal mining.
From a public health perspective, the society outlined severe risks associated with galamsey, particularly for children. It highlighted that toxic exposure—especially to heavy metals like mercury—can lead to irreversible brain damage, reduced cognitive development, and long-term health complications. Polluted water sources, it added, are already increasing cases of chronic diseases, infections, and malnutrition among children.
The statement went further to describe galamsey as “a slow, silent assault on the Ghanaian child,” warning that its effects extend beyond current populations to unborn generations through environmental degradation and compromised ecosystems.
Drawing parallels with historical injustices, the society argued that while the slave trade deprived generations of their future, illegal mining threatens to do the same through poisoned rivers, degraded lands, and lost potential.
In its recommendations, the Paediatric Society of Ghana called for galamsey to be elevated to a national emergency, demanding a coordinated, science-driven response across multiple sectors. It also urged strict protection of water bodies and forest reserves, alongside investment in child-centred health surveillance systems to detect and treat environmental-related illnesses early.
Additionally, the group appealed to the government to take a global leadership role in framing environmental destruction
By: Bernard Mensah |Planbfmonline.com
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