The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), specifically the University of Ghana chapter, has issued a serious warning about the devastating effects of illegal mining, commonly called galamsey, on the country’s water sources and public health. Dr. Jerry Joe Harrison, the General Secretary of UTAG-UG, raised this alarm during an interview on Channel One Newsroom on Monday, September 15. He called for immediate nationwide action to address this crisis before it leads to widespread health disasters.
“If we don’t act now, we will all suffer the consequences,” he stated bluntly. “The water situation is wreaking havoc in many households. Areas like Kwanyako do not have access to clean water, and people cannot even afford to purchase water for their homes.” Dr. Harrison, who is a scientist, warned that continued consumption of contaminated water could result in long-term health problems, such as cancer and neurological diseases.
He expressed concern, saying, “People are having to consume this contaminated water, which will inevitably lead to cancers and neurological disorders. Isn’t that an emergency?” He challenged authorities and the public not to wait until the damage becomes visibly widespread. “So what do you prefer — that we sit down for 5%, 10% of the population to begin to have visible neurological symptoms before we take action? No.”
Dr. Harrison also highlighted the dangers posed by contaminated water entering the food chain, noting that even if humans avoid drinking the polluted water directly, they may still be exposed through animals and crops.
“You can’t prevent the animals from going to drink the water,” he explained. “Whether you like it or not, if you don’t get it through the food, you get it through the meat.”
Source: Abigail Arthur
