Koforidua: The Paediatric Society of Ghana has commenced its 2026 Annual General and Scientific Meeting (AGSM) in Koforidua. During pre-conference sessions, experts highlighted the impact of climate change, pollution, and illegal mining on child health across the nation.
According to Ghana Web, the three-day conference, themed 'Leaving No Child Behind: Advancing Equitable Healthcare for Children and Adolescents with Non-Communicable Diseases,' brought together paediatricians, nurses, policymakers, journalists, and civil society advocates. The attendees are focusing on strategies to address chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and sickle cell disease among Ghana's youth.
Dr. Sara Johnson Atunah-Jay, Co-Chair of the Society's Climate Change and Environmental Health Committee, emphasized the link between environmental degradation and the increase in respiratory illnesses and congenital disorders. She highlighted the rise in asthma attacks and allergies due to pollution and noted the alarming pollution levels in 65% of Ghana's water bodies due to illegal gold mining, known locally as galamsey.
The Society is advocating for a coordinated national response involving various community leaders and organizations to combat illegal mining and restore the polluted water bodies. Dr. Atunah-Jay stressed the importance of clean water in preventing diseases and urged collective responsibility in addressing these issues.
In a virtual presentation, Prof. Paul Osei Sampene from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) called for a scientific approach to tackling environmental health issues and rising child mortality. He shared findings from his research into maternal autopsies, revealing a connection between environmental exposures and congenital malformations.
Prof. Sampene urged delegates to acknowledge the scientific evidence linking pollution to health issues, despite criticisms of his work being politically motivated. His findings aligned with the Society's committee presentations, which warned of the severe damage galamsey is causing to Ghana's rivers.
The conference, which runs through Friday, aims to explore interventions and policy measures to promote equitable child and adolescent health, while integrating environmental health considerations into Ghana's child-health agenda.