Amman:Executive Director of Eco-Conscious Citizens, Awula Serwah, has expressed concerns over the emphasis on protecting the livelihoods of illegal miners, commonly known as galamsey operators, while neglecting the impact on farmers and fishermen who face environmental degradation due to these mining activities.
According to Ghana Web, Serwah voiced her criticism during an interview on Starr FM, highlighting what she perceives as a lack of concern for the economic challenges faced by communities whose livelihoods are jeopardized by environmental destruction. She emphasized that the focus appears to be on the well-being of those engaging in illegal activities, while the needs of peasant farmers, fishermen, and the general Ghanaian population are overlooked.
Serwah's comments add to the ongoing discourse on the environmental and public health consequences of illegal mining in Ghana. She warned that the repercussions of such activities extend beyond the immediate mining areas, potentially threatening water resources, food supplies, and communities reliant on agriculture and fishing.
She further pointed out the dangers of water contamination by chemicals like cyanide and mercury, which are used in illegal gold mining. Serwah cautioned that this pollution could pose significant public health risks, noting that the presence of these colorless chemicals in water supplies often goes unnoticed.