Scores of uncovered pits left behind by illegal miners are posing serious threat to residents of some mining communities in the Nzema areas of the Western Region.
About seven of the residents have recently fallen into the pits, leading to their untimely deaths.
Four of the deceased were from Nkroful, two were from Anwia and one from Telekubokazo.
Mrs. Elizabeth Allua Vaah, Executive Director of Ghana Environmental Advocacy Group, revealed this at a press conference and sensitisation programme organised over the weekend by the group at Bankata in the Ellembelle District.
It was on the theme: “Our Dying Rivers – An Uncertain Future,” and was organised in conjunction with local environmental advocates in the Nzema area.
She noted that irresponsible surface mining has destroyed the area’s forests, land, and rivers and continues to pose an existential threat to the people.
“We have therefore brought the press here today to say to the world that enough is enough,” she stated.
She asserted that the people are drinking mercury and lead-contaminated water, as well as eating staple foods, fruits and fishes that have been contaminated with the poisonous metals.
She bemoaned the current sorry state of rivers Ankobra, Birim, Broma, Butre, Offin, Pra, Subile and Tano among others, and called on all to join in their resolve to help curb the galamsey menace.
“Today, at Aiyinasi Sendu, Adjei Obeng Krom, Anwia, Abelebo, Egila Eshiem, Banso, Dadieso, and others, our lands are being poisoned by foreigners and Ghanaians fronting for foreigners,” she disclosed.
She said the increase in diseases associated with mercury, lead, arsenic, and cyanide poisoning was just a herald to what could befall the country’s unborn generations.
Madam Vaah attributed the decrease in the country’s cocoa production partly to the activities of illegal miners, adding, “And the little we have too could be contaminated.”
“If our political leaders have let us down, we are appealing to our esteemed Nananom, who are the custodians of the land to intervene and help protect our forests, and water bodies,” she stated.
From Emmanuel Opoku, Bankata