A medical doctor and research immunologist, Dr. Justice Kofi Boakye-Appiah, has raised serious concerns about the extensive effects of galamsey in the country, myjoyonline.com has reported.

He explained that everyone is affected by the devastating impact of galamsey, pointing out that the lives of people are usually disregarded when such harmful practices are carried out.

"It comes down to one simple thing – in Ghana, we do not value lives. We think everything is just politics and about money. We do not think about the consequences of everything we do, so, if this will make me rich, I do not care about the consequences,” he said.

He said this while speaking on NewsFile on JoyNews on Saturday, October 5,2024.

Dr. Boakye-Appiah further warned that the menace could lead to widespread deaths, referencing a forensic study by pathologist, Prof Paul Poku Sampene Ossei, on abnormal birth due to the exposure of heavy metals used in galamsey.

Dr Boakye-Appiah emphasised that it is important to shift priorities and advise that the lives of human beings are precious than the temporal financial benefits from illegal mining activities.

He also condemned people who are of the belief that the issue affects only certain groups, calling it ”strange.”

RAD/AE

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