A food systems toxicologist and health risk assessment expert at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), Dr. Ekpor Anyimah-Ackah has issued a serious warning about the far-reaching dangers of illegal mining (galamsey) in Ghana.
He cautioned that toxic exposure is not limited to mining communities.
Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile programme on Saturday, October 4, Dr. Anyimah-Ackah said that all Ghanaians, regardless of their location, are at risk due to the way food is sourced from contaminated regions.
“If you are not in a galamsey zone, you are still at risk,” he stated.
He revealed that crops grown in galamsey-prone areas are absorbing dangerous substances from polluted soil and water, with those toxins eventually ending up in the food consumed by millions of Ghanaians.
“Our food baskets are where galamsey is prone. Crops uptake these substances and they stay in it, and it bioaccumulates in you. Every time you are eating, the levels of these toxicants are building up in you,” he noted.
He explained that many of Ghana’s major agricultural zones overlap with illegal mining hotspots, where the soil and water are often laced with heavy metals and toxic chemicals such as mercury and arsenic.
These substances are absorbed by crops, remain in the food, and gradually accumulate in the bodies of consumers posing long-term risks such as organ damage, developmental issues, and cancer.
Turning to his own community, the toxicologist gave a troubling account of conditions in Winneba.
“In Winneba, where I work and live, we have never had clean water for only God knows how long,” he said.
“Since last year until now, all the water we drink is brown, and it is exposing the next generation.”
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