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…Urges public vigilance and stronger government action against illegal mining
The urgency in communicating the existential threat posed by illegal and irresponsible mining on Ghana’s food and water, and its attendant health implications, is such that the Eco-Conscious Citizens environmental group has postponed its monthly Zoom meeting set for this Thursday.
Instead, it has posted online two short videos entitled ‘Eco-Conscious Citizens Public Safety Announcement 1: Food & Water Insecurity In Ghana & Its Diaspora’ and , which it intends promoting in the next few weeks in order to raise awareness of the health risks already posed to Ghanaians, because of the irresponsible practices of illegal and some licensed miners.
The group urges the general public to awaken from its apathy and join the chorus of media, civil society and other organisations in the campaign against IRRESPONSIBLE MINING, by actively pressing state institutions to wage a vigorous, unrelenting battle against illegal miners.
In bringing the videos to the attention of the key sector ministers, officers and institution heads, Eco-Conscious Citizens will not only be calling for the government institutions charged with protecting our environment to redouble their efforts by implementing a robust and sustained fight against the irresponsible miners, but also asks that a well-publicised NAIMOS (National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat) 24-hour phone hotline be set up for citizens to report illegal activity in the forest reserves or on water bodies; plus the spurious court case against the Atronsu 5 environmental activists to be dropped.
The video shorts can be accessed at: Or click:Eco-Conscious Citizens Public Safety Announcement 1: Food & Water Insecurity In Ghana & Its Diaspora and Eco-Conscious Citizens Public Safety Announcement 2: Food & Water Contamination In Ghana & Effects.
The effects of the activities of the environmental terrorists known as illegal miners, or galamseyers, impacts Ghanaians at home and abroad. The EPA (Environmental Protection Authority) and other organisations have recently announced high levels of heavy metals, such as mercury, in Ghanaian staple foods like kontomire, which is enjoyed in stews in Ghana and its diaspora
Also, Ghana Water Company (GWC) does not remove the heavy metals left in water bodies by the illegal miners. So the fact that the water in Ghana may be clear does not mean it doesn’t contain toxic heavy metals, such as mercury or cyanide. Only procedures such as reverse osmosis can remove such metals – this process is used by some bottled water brands.
Hopefully when the citizens of Ghana appreciate the extent of the threat to their health caused by the activities of the environmental terrorists, they may be more proactive in demanding the state uses all its powers to end the on-going environmental terrorism.
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