Restoring Ghana's polluted water bodies could take up to 15 years - Dr. Bright Boafo Boamah

A Medical Doctor and Toxicologist, Dr. Bright Boafo Boamah, is of the view that it could take 10 to 15 years to fully restore Ghana's water bodies contaminated by illegal mining activities, commonly known as galamsey.

Speaking on JoyNews' Newsfile programme on Saturday, October 12, 2024, Dr. Boamah stressed that the severe environmental damage caused by galamsey would require extensive time and efforts to be able to restore the water bodies.

He explained that toxic chemicals, including mercury and cyanide, used in illegal mining have deeply polluted the many water sources, making the restoration process both complex and lengthy.

He also warned of the serious health risks posed by the contamination, noting that exposure to the toxic substances in the water poses dangers to both human health and wildlife. 

"Currently, most of the antibiotics are not responding because normally it's due to poor use of antibiotics or prescriptions, but it has also been shown that this heavy metal induces some antimicrobial resistance."

"So, we are not really dealing with a very simple issue and even if we should look at how to restore the water bodies and if we should start now, I think somewhere between 10-15 [Years] to be able to do this and I know there are some water bodies that cannot be restored," Dr Boamah stated.

He has therefore urged the government to enforce environmental laws strictly and implement sustainable measures to prevent further degradation of Ghana’s natural resources.

He also stressed the need for a collective effort, urging civil society, government, and the general public to take the fight against galamsey seriously.

He cautioned that failure to act swiftly would have devastating consequences for future generations.