The Research Staff Association of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Research Scientists Association at the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) have jointly called for an urgent recall of Parliament to repeal the Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) Regulation 2022 (L.I. 2462), which permits mining in forest reserves.
They argue that if Parliament can be convened to grant tax exemptions for investment-promoting companies, it should act with equal urgency to tackle the escalating galamsey crisis.
“This issue is a ticking time bomb, threatening to derail the nation’s economic gains,” the statement reads. The scientists demand that all illegal small-scale mining activities in Ghana be suspended for at least one year.
During this time, the government should promote sustainable, eco-friendly mining practices by providing technical and financial support to small-scale miners.
They liken this to seasonal fishing closures, suggesting that such measures are necessary to combat the galamsey menace effectively. The statement highlights the dire state of Ghana’s water bodies, warning that the unchecked consequences of illegal mining could be catastrophic for the environment and public health.
Galamsey is viewed as an existential threat, contributing to over 24,000 annual cancer cases in Ghana due to toxic elements like cadmium, arsenic, chromium, and lead, which are linked to various health issues.
The scientists also note that communities near mining sites experience heightened rates of respiratory ailments and skin conditions.
They express their commitment to collaborating with the government and stakeholders to develop policies that will restore lands, forests, and water resources while restructuring the value chain of small-scale mining.
The call for research funding to find sustainable solutions to current mining practices is emphasized as crucial for the sector’s future.
