Galamsey In Ghana And Its Health Implications

Mercury dispensed through the activities of illegal miners in the form of mercury vapour and the pollution of surface and underground water are highly toxic to humans. 
According to the Ghana Health Service, mercury, which is a heavy metal and one of the chemicals used by illegal miners in their activities, had a dire effect on the health of humans, as it could cause the breakdown of the central nervous system.
Mr. Chairman, galamsey activities expose Ghanaians through drinking and inhaling of gaseous mercury, which is absorbed into the blood. Once in the circulatory system, it can pass through the blood-brain barrier and accumulate in the brain, damaging the central nervous system.
Also the consumers of pipe-borne water may be consuming small amounts of mercury and unknown to the public, bits of it would accumulate and give negative effects in the not-too-distant future.
Aside those who drink treated water, millions of Ghanaians live along the banks of these river bodies and fetch the raw water, which is heavily contaminated with chemicals such as mercury and arsenic, for domestic use.
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