Medical Director of Healthnet Swan Medical Center, Dr. Dennis Bortey has expressed deep concern over the devastating impact of illegal mining (galamsey) on Ghana’s water bodies.
Speaking on the Happy Morning Show with Kwadwo SEfah-Danquah on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, Dr. Bortey lamented the country’s environmental degradation, stating that he sometimes wishes he was living elsewhere due to the alarming situation.
He explained that toxic chemicals like mercury, cyanide, arsenic, and zinc, used in gold extraction by illegal miners, are contaminating water sources and poisoning the population.
He warned that Ghana is gradually committing “mass suicide” by allowing these harmful substances to infiltrate food and water supply, slowly poisoning the entire population.
He cautioned that while the effects of these poisons are not immediately visible, their long-term impact will be catastrophic.
Dr. Bortey predicted that in 20 to 30 years, the country will witness a surge in deaths linked to these chemicals. Specifically, he highlighted that mercury, which is known to accumulate in the brain, is likely to cause a significant increase in dementia cases in the next few decades.
He also pointed out that, although there are various causes of kidney disease and failure in Ghana, the harmful effects of galamsey-related pollution are undoubtedly contributing to the crisis. According to him, no one in the country is safe, as these toxic chemicals have contaminated almost everything consumed in Ghana.