Community mining initiative is a smokescreen for Galamsey - GMA

Accra, Ghana - The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has lambasted the government's community mining scheme, labeling it a mere smokescreen for illegal mining activities, popularly known as galamsey.

In a scathing critique, GMA Vice President, Professor Ernest Yorke, revealed that the devastating impact of galamsey on major mining communities is being exacerbated under the guise of the government's initiative.

Speaking on Citi FM's Eyewitness News, Prof. Yorke emphasized the urgent need for corrective action to mitigate the damage, attributing the problem to inadequate supervision of the scheme.

“The effect of this illegal mining on the environment is more health-related and the health implications, if unchecked, are going to be dire and an existential threat to this country and that is why we have come together to let the government know that we must reverse the trend," he stated. 

“They [the government] introduced the community mining scheme and for us, it is a euphemism to perpetuate the illegality because it is unchecked and it is destroying the environment and so let us take a halt and regroup and have a direction to correct this damage'" he added.

Source: Lead News Online