The Vice President of the Paediatric Society of Ghana, Dr Emmanuel Oppong, has urged the government to declare illegal mining, widely known as galamsey, a public health emergency to enable a coordinated national response.
Speaking on April 29, Dr Oppong expressed concern over the escalating health risks linked to environmental pollution caused by illegal mining activities. He warned that the absence of an official emergency declaration could limit the country’s ability to mobilise resources and deploy effective response systems.
According to him, formal recognition of a public health threat is essential for activating coordinated action across government institutions, health agencies, and other key stakeholders.
He questioned how national authorities could effectively respond to a growing health crisis without invoking the necessary structures and powers required for emergency intervention.
Dr Oppong endorsed earlier calls from health professionals for galamsey to be officially classified as a public health emergency, arguing that the scale of environmental and human health damage now requires urgent and structured action.
He further stressed the need for proactive community-based interventions, particularly in mining-affected areas where residents may already be exposed to harmful pollutants.
Among the measures proposed, he highlighted health screening programmes, early detection initiatives, and targeted outreach campaigns to help reduce the long-term medical consequences associated with contaminated water, polluted air, and toxic exposure.
The renewed appeal adds to increasing pressure on authorities to address illegal mining not only as an environmental and economic issue, but also as a growing national health concern.
