Head of the Centre for Ageing Studies at the University of Ghana, Professor Joseph Osafo, has thrown his support behind ongoing protests against illegal mining, highlighting the health risks associated with the practice.
During a panel discussion on Peace FM on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, he stressed that consuming water contaminated by galamsey activities poses serious threats to the reproductive system, reinforcing the urgency to put a stop to illegal mining operations.
“It affects your sperm quality; it affects your egg quality. So the direction the youth have taken is very good, but there are issues with their actions. We have to do it again and show Ghanaians and our leaders that we deserve better.
This is not the state of the water bodies left to us by our forefathers. You could drink directly from the rivers, but now you can’t try that. All the water bodies are poisoned,” he stated.
Prof. Osafo’s statement was in response to the arrest of over 50 protesters by the police during a recent anti-galamsey demonstration organized by Democracy Hub.
While lauding the police, Prof. Osafo charged the protesters not to relent in their pursuit but to ensure decency in their quest.
“So I applaud the police and also advise our brothers that the protest is good, so they have to come again and do it decently this time,” he stated.
Police have reported that the protesters were involved in acts of disorder, leading to their arraignment before the court. More than 50 of them have since been remanded in custody after their court appearance.
In the meantime, another protest against illegal mining is set to take place in Accra from October 3 to October 5, 2024.
The demonstration aims to intensify pressure on the government to tackle illegal mining while also calling for the release of the detained protesters.