The Deputy Spokesperson for the Running Mate of the NDC, Eric Adjei has described the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor over the dissipation of Ghana’s forest reserves for illegal mining.
The NDC Deputy Communication Officer for the Bono Region who was speaking on Dwaboase on TV XYZ Tuesday morning won dered how the riverbodies on the countries have been destroyed by illegal mining, also known as galamsey.
To him, the Minister for the sector has encouraged the activities of galamsey through his party members to the detriment of the Ghanaian people, stating that Jinapor’s tenure as the one in charge of the natural resources of the country has yielded nothing but an escalation of the destruction of the country’s forest reserves.
“When Abu Jinapor was appointed, I was elated and commended him because he is a youth but today he has become very reckless and we are losing our once beautiful water bodies and forest reserves to galamsey,” Adjei said.
Adjei’s comments come few days after health professionals nationwide called on President Akufo-Addo to take swift action and enforce a ban on all small-scale mining operations in the country.
Health Workers’ Concerns
The health experts stress that the unchecked mining practices pose significant threats to the well-being of communities, necessitating an immediate and direct ban.
By taking decisive action, they said the government can help mitigate the harmful health effects and protect the health and safety of citizens in the areas where lands are plowed indiscriminately for gold.
Parts of a joint statement by the group of professionals stated ,”The rise in cases of respiratory illnesses, skin infections, and waterborne diseases such as cholera and diarrhea in these communities is a direct consequence of the unchecked mining activities.
“We are witnessing an ecological disaster with direct implications for human health, and this must be addressed with urgency,” the group warned.
The group comprises the Ghana Medical Association (GMA), the Government and Hospital Pharmacists Association (GHOSPA), the Health Services Workers Union of Ghana – TUC, the Medical Laboratory Professional Workers’ Union (MELPWU), the Mortuary Workers’ Association of Ghana (MOWAG), the Ghana Association of Certified Registered Anesthetists (GACRA), the Health Accounting Staff Association (HASAG), and Ghana Physician Assistants Association (GPAA).
Below is what Eric Adjei said on Dwaboase
