Galamsey, water & child health

At a time like this when there is hue and cry for a radical action from the powers that be to save our water bodies from the incessant pollution and disturbance by ‘galamseyers’, it is important to make it known that posterity will not forgive those who choose to remain quiet at a time like this.

This is because posterity will be at the short end of the stick, reaping the long term effects of the seeds being sown today. The future belongs to today’s children who are being affected now by the negative effects of illegal mining.

This is the reason why this existential threat should not be treated lightly for the sake of future generations.

Water is known as the world’s first and foremost medicine. What do we therefore stand to gain if we allow the continued pollution and contamination of our sources of water in the country?

What available and safe alternative is there to replace this natural medicine if we allow the current recklessness of a few to continue? 

Crucial

This medicine in question is crucial for the health and development of the child. While 60 per cent of the adult body is made up of water, 75 per cent of the bodies of infants comprises same.

This is how water is essential for the life of our younger population today. Clearly, they need more water to grow. To function well, organs such as the brain, heart, kidneys and lungs require constant hydration.

The human body needs water to carry out other processes like dissolution of food, absorption of nutrients, dissipation of  heat etc.

The health, development and well-being of children is seriously affected by the unavailability of safe and quality water. It is important to note that contaminants like mercury and other toxic chemicals which illegal miners use, exposure to lead, excessive exposure to alum, plastics, viruses and parasites pose a significant health hazard to children because of the susceptibility of their rapidly developing organs.

The kind of water available to pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers in the first 1000 days affects their children through to an age where they become capable of consuming water themselves. This has life-long health implications along the life course.

Heavy metals

Heavy metals contaminating water can affect the cognitive development of the brain. Deposits in the brain can further result in behavioral problems. When the brain is deprived of adequate water, it can result in anxiety, depression and even memory deficits.

Exposure to these chemicals can also result in the suppression of the immune system. In a few years, this can contribute to the already rising incidence of chronic diseases, including cancers, if not addressed.

Various communities are already complaining of their inability to sustain food production because of the hazardous nature of the contaminated water used on farms to grow the crops. In worse case situations, staples such as yam have recently tested positive for some heavy metals, making these unsuitable for consumption.

In the United Nations Children Education Fund (UNICEF)  State of the World’s 2019 report, it was documented that one in 10 children who are under 5 in Ghana is underweight.

One in 5 under 5 children is stunted. Among children who are between 6 months and 2 years of age, about 2 out of 3 are not fed optimally.

With this recent threat to water and food security, the nutrition status of the Ghanaian child can worsen. The lives of children are at stake. Ghana stands to lose all the gains made with respect to child health if the menace of illegal mining persists. A stitch in time saves nine. 

The writer is a Child Development expert/Fellow at Zero-to-three Academy, USA

Email: nanaesi_19@yahoo.co.uk