Illegal mining, known locally as galamsey, is contributing to a rise in kidney disease in Ghana, the Ghana Association of Radiologists (GAR) has warned.

Speaking at the opening of the Association’s 14th Annual General and Scientific Meeting in Accra, GAR President Dr Francis Ofei described pollution from illegal mining as a “public health catastrophe”.
He said the widespread use of mercury and cyanide in artisanal gold mining had heavily contaminated major rivers and exposed millions of people to toxic substances through drinking water and food.

“The indiscriminate use of mercury and cyanide in artisanal gold mining operations has resulted in catastrophic contamination of our water bodies,” Dr Ofei said.

He warned that the chemicals place excessive strain on the kidneys, which filter waste from the bloodstream, adding that “with repeated exposure, the kidneys give up eventually”.
Dr Ofei identified rivers including the Pra, Birim, Ankobra and Offin among those severely polluted by galamsey activities.

According to a recent Ghana News Agency report, about 13% of Ghana’s adult population — an estimated four million people — are living with chronic kidney disease.

The report, citing nephrology specialist Dr Mensah Amoah, said many patients were between the ages of 20 and 50, considered the country’s most economically productive group.

The Radiologists Association said communities exposed to illegal mining activities were particularly vulnerable and urged the government to intensify efforts to tackle galamsey and protect water sources.

Source:TheDotNews