The Paediatric Society of Ghana is warning the government over the devastating health impact of illegal mining (galamsey),” describing it as a slow, silent assault on children and future generations.
Galamsey, according to the Society, is not just an environmental issue but a crime against present and future humanity,” the statement stressed.
In a statement marking Earth Day on April 22, the Society combined a congratulatory message to President John Dramani Mahama for his role in securing global recognition of the transatlantic slave trade as a crime against humanity, but issued a terse warning to the government to confront the escalating environmental and public health crisis at home.
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The paediatric body stressed that while the United Nations’ recognition of the slave trade represents a profound moral correction, Ghana now faces a modern-day threat with similarly far-reaching consequences.
It warned that from a clinical and public health perspective, illegal mining activities are contaminating water bodies and food systems with toxic heavy metals such as mercury and arsenic, substances known to cause severe and irreversible health damage, particularly in children.
According to the group, prenatal mercury exposure is linked to brain damage, reduced intelligence, and long-term neurodevelopmental disorders, adding that polluted water sources are also increasing cases of infections, malnutrition, and chronic illnesses among children.
The statement pointed out that environmental degradation driven by galamsey contributes to poverty, food insecurity, and displacement, factors that disproportionately affect children and undermine their long-term well-being.
The Society drew a parallel between the historical injustice of the transatlantic slave trade and the current environmental crisis, arguing that both deprive generations of their future.
“If history has taught us anything, it is that crimes against humanity are not defined only by intent, but by the scale of harm and their generational consequences,” it noted.
It warned that the destruction of ecosystems and water sources risks imposing lifelong health burdens on children yet to be born, effectively turning galamsey into what it described as a heinous crime against humanity yet unborn.
The Paediatric Society outlined a five-point action plan for government intervention. It called for galamsey to be elevated to a national emergency, requiring a coordinated, science-driven response across health, environmental, security, and education sectors.
The group also urged authorities to enforce strict protection of water bodies and forest reserves, invest in child-focused environmental health surveillance systems, and implement early screening and treatment programmes for heavy metal exposure.
It also appealed to the government to champion the issue globally, framing large-scale environmental destruction within the broader context of crimes against humanity.
The Paediatric Society emphasised its readiness to support the government with technical expertise, research, and advocacy, but stressed that time is critical.
“You have helped the world acknowledge a historic injustice. We now stand at a moment where we must prevent a modern one,” the statement said, warning that the health and future of Ghanaian children, both present and unborn, depend on decisive action taken today.