The General Secretary of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), Thomas Tanko Musah, has expressed concern about the impact of galamsey on students’ academic performance.
According to Musah, the galamsey menace has affected the brains of students, hindering their ability to learn effectively.
Musah and other leaders of organized labor have called on President Akufo-Addo to declare a state of emergency to address the issue.
The leadership of GNAT and other unions are worried about the long-term effects of galamsey activities on the cognitive development of students and residents in mining communities.
Musah explained that the chemicals used in galamsey have contaminated water sources, which students drink, affecting their brain development.
He emphasized that providing nutritious meals to students cannot compensate for the damage caused by mercury and other harmful substances.
The General Secretary of the General Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU), Andy Tagoe, also condemned the practice of galamsey, highlighting its cumulative effects with pesticides.
Tagoe pointed out that the combination of galamsey and pesticides doubles the problems faced by communities, making it a critical issue to address.
The General Secretary of the Local Government Workers Union, Christopher Abokah, cautioned against political interference in efforts to curb galamsey activities.
Abokah stressed that addressing galamsey requires a collective effort, transcending political affiliations, to protect the well-being of citizens and the environment.
