Accra: The Paediatric Society of Ghana has issued an urgent warning that illegal mining (galamsey) poses a severe threat to children's health and brain development, with irreversible consequences for Ghana's future. The Society called on government leaders to treat this as a national emergency requiring immediate action.
According to Ghana News Agency, the warning was conveyed through an open letter to the President, jointly signed by Dr. Hilda Mantebea Boye, President of the Society, and Dr. Gabrielle Obeng-Koranteng, General Secretary. The letter highlighted the dangers posed by open pits left by galamsey activities, which have resulted in children drowning. It also detailed how illegal mining releases toxic substances such as mercury, lead, arsenic, and cyanide into water sources, soil, and the food chain.
The letter expressed particular concern for pregnant women and young children who are exposed to these toxins through contaminated drinking water, fish, crops, and household dust. It emphasized that these toxins can easily cross the placenta and enter breast milk, affecting children during critical developmental stages. Scientific evidence underscores that toxic exposure can lead to permanent brain damage, reduced IQ, learning capacity, speech delays, and behavioral disorders.
Furthermore, the letter outlined additional health risks, including anemia, stunted growth, weakened immune systems, kidney and liver damage, and an increased risk of chronic diseases later in life. It stressed that the damage extends beyond individual health, as children exposed to mining toxins often experience poor academic performance and higher dropout rates, which could lead to reduced adult productivity and earnings.
The Society also highlighted that even unborn babies are not spared from heavy metal poisoning. The World Health Organisation estimates that lead exposure alone costs low and middle-income countries hundreds of billions of dollars annually in lost economic productivity. The Society noted the mounting healthcare costs Ghana faces for dialysis, cancer treatment, and disability support, which strain the national health system and finances.
The Society urged the government to declare galamsey a child health emergency and called for protective measures to monitor all water sources serving pregnant women, children, and schools. It also recommended nationwide screening for heavy metals in high-risk districts and strict enforcement against illegal mining activities.
Additionally, the Society advocated for the establishment of long-term child development monitoring programs and the inclusion of child health impact assessments in all mining and environmental policies. It emphasized that strong human capital, not just natural resources, determines a nation's success. The letter concluded by framing the protection of children from galamsey as a moral, medical, and economic imperative crucial to Ghana's long-term development and competitiveness.