Pharmaceutical Society demands tougher action against galamsey
The Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH) is calling on the government to intensify efforts to combat illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, warning that the practice poses serious risks to public health.
The Society says pollution of water bodies through illegal mining is exposing communities to health hazards and increasing the cost of providing safe water.
The Society cited findings from the World Health Organisation and the World Bank on the health and economic impact of environmental pollution.
Speaking at the 90th Anniversary Annual General Meeting of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana, the President of the Society, Pharm. Paul Owusu Donkor urged the government to take firm action against the menace and its financiers.
“Let us match our industrial ambitions with the protection of our environment and our water. The World Bank’s 2020 Environmental Analysis estimated Ghana’s annual environmental degradation cost to be at $6.3 billion. That figure alone should make us question any definition of economic progress that overlooks the destruction of our environment if it is so required to achieve it.
“Government must intensify sustained efforts against illegal mining that destroys our forests, farmlands and water bodies, including actions against its own financiers and protectors.”
Paul Owusu Donkor also urged the government to make lawful livelihoods viable to discourage illegal mining.
He added that protecting water bodies is vital to pharmaceutical manufacturing, which depends on reliable supplies of clean water.
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