Dr. Bright Boafo Boamah, a Medical Doctor and Toxicologist, believes it may take 10 to 15 years to fully restore Ghana’s water bodies contaminated by illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey. Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on October 12, 2024, Dr. Boamah emphasized that the severe environmental damage caused by galamsey requires significant time and effort to repair.
He explained that the toxic chemicals used in illegal mining, such as mercury and cyanide, have deeply polluted many water sources, making the restoration process complicated and lengthy. Dr. Boamah also highlighted the serious health risks posed by the contamination, warning that the exposure to these toxins endangers both human health and wildlife.
Additionally, he noted that the presence of heavy metals in the water contributes to antimicrobial resistance, making infections harder to treat. “Even if we start restoring the water bodies now, it could take 10 to 15 years, and some may not be restorable at all,” he added.
Dr. Boamah urged the government to strictly enforce environmental laws and implement sustainable solutions to prevent further degradation of Ghana’s natural resources. He called for collective action from civil society, the government, and the public to tackle the issue of illegal mining seriously.