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The Ghana Medical Association’s (GMA) president, Dr. (Med) Frank Serebour, has made it clear that their joint press release on the negative impacts of galamsey (illegal mining) is just the start of their battle.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has been called by the Ghana Medical Association and a number of other health unions and groups to immediately outlaw all small-scale mining activities, whether they are legal or not.
This demand is in reaction to the growing devastation of the nation’s rivers and lakes and forest reserves, as well as the grave risks to public health and the environment presented by people and groups engaged in galamsey, or illegal mining.
In an interview with Prof. S.F. Gyasi on Bresosem at Abusuafm, Dr. Serebour made an announcement that the GMA will organize news conferences in the upcoming weeks to detail the precise actions they want to take in the event that the government decides not to ban small-scale mining.
“There are a series of things we’ve planned to do. We felt it was important to start on this note by releasing a statement advising that this is how we’re going to proceed” Dr Serebour stated.
“But this is probably the softest approach. Hopefully, in the next few weeks, we’ll hold press conferences where we will outline exactly the measures we want to take.”
Dr Serebour acknowledged that the association is faced with a unique challenge, as the issue of galamsey affects not only healthcare workers but the entire population.
“The biggest challenge we have is that this issue affects not just us directly, but everyone in Ghana. Unlike our usual grievances related to our conditions of service, we’re fighting for the entire nation. So, if you say you won’t work tomorrow because of this, who will be affected?” he quizzed.
“We’ve thought about all these factors, but do we have any other way to draw attention to the fact that we strongly disagree with what’s happening? We’re examining all these dynamics, and I’m sure we’ll find a suitable balance,” he added.
Although the statement had undergone significant editing due to the differing viewpoints of the several sector unions, Dr. Serebour expressed optimism that they would find a workable solution to the problem.
“All the unions in the health sector are involved,” he said. You wouldn’t believe the amount of modifications that went into this statement—it was absurd! Our varied viewpoints will probably result in a delicate equilibrium since one union is looking in one way while you are looking in another.
“This balance will allow us to embark on a journey that will be more effective, minimize the impact on our people, and draw attention to the ongoing issues” he said in a positive manner.
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com
