Forensic Histopathologist and former Head of Pathology at KNUST and Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Prof Dr Paul Poku Sampene Ossei, has revealed alarming findings from his ongoing research, linking at least 500 cases of spontaneous abortions in Ghana to high levels of heavy metals in the placenta caused by illegal mining (galamsey) activities.
Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, September 27, Prof. Sampene warned that galamsey is poisoning unborn babies and endangering the lives of mothers.
“I have about 500 cases where women go to the hospital and abort their babies because of the concentration of these heavy metals in their placenta,” he disclosed.
According to him, his research involved over 4,000 placentas examined from different regions across Ghana. The results showed dangerous levels of heavy metal contamination on both the maternal and foetal sides.
“The placentas are all contaminated, polluted with heavy metals,” he said.
Rising Cases of Kidney Disease and Birth Defects
Prof. Sampene cautioned that the health effects extend far beyond pregnancy loss.
“Do we have what it takes to even solve the kidney diseases that are coming out now? Dialysis is very expensive, and nobody gets it for free. Children are also being diagnosed with chronic kidney disease. These are the realities we have to face,” he stated.
He further disclosed that birth deformities are increasingly being recorded in mining areas, though some doctors are hesitant to speak out publicly.
“Ever since I drew attention to this, doctors in mining areas tell me they are recording a lot of deformities in babies. Most of them fear coming out, but it is happening,” he revealed.
Galamsey’s Broader Public Health Threat
The pathologist, who has been studying the effects of galamsey since 2019, expressed concern over the lack of urgency from leaders and the tendency to politicise the issue.
“Sometimes I feel very sad indeed when politicians come to sit on air and try to tell us who did what and who is doing what. It saddens my heart. Galamsey is really killing us,” he lamented.
Prof. Sampene also highlighted other dangers, citing data from KATH, which shows that between 2019 and 2021, drowning accounted for 40% of unnatural deaths in the Ashanti Region, with 25% of these deaths linked to abandoned galamsey pits.
Polluted Water and Long-Term Health Risks
Prof. Sampene warned about the dangers of using alum (aluminium hydroxide) to treat polluted water caused by illegal mining activities.
“It is going to cause kidney problems, mutations in the respiratory tract, and Alzheimer’s disease. These are proven health risks,” he explained.
Call for a United National Response
He appealed to both the NDC and NPP to rise above partisanship and address what he described as a national health emergency.
“I would have wished that the two main political parties, NDC and NPP, come together and say enough is enough. Otherwise, if care is not taken, we will soon see people walking but with very high cognitive impairment. Mercury inhalation alone can damage the brain. We are seriously in trouble,” he warned.
Prof. Sampene’s findings underscore the devastating health impact of illegal mining and the urgent need for decisive, unified action to safeguard public health and protect future generations.
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