Galamsey: Poisoned water can affect sperm quality – Prof Osafo

The Head of the Centre for Ageing Studies at the University of Ghana, Prof. Joseph Osafo, has endorsed the protest against illegal mining activities while emphasizing some impacts of illegal mining on human health.

Speaking during a panel discussion on Peace FM on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, Prof. Osafo noted that drinking water from sources poisoned by galamsey activities can affect one's reproductive system, hence the need to end the menace.

“It affects your sperm quality; it affects your egg quality. So the direction the youth have taken is very good, but there are issues with their actions. We have to do it again and show Ghanaians and our leaders that we deserve better. This is not the state of the water bodies left to us by our forefathers. You could drink directly from the rivers, but now you can’t try that. All the water bodies are poisoned,” he stated.

Prof. Osafo’s statement was in response to the arrest of over 50 protesters by the police during a recent anti-galamsey demonstration organized by Democracy Hub.

While lauding the police, Prof. Osafo charged the protesters not to relent in their pursuit but to ensure decency in their quest.

“So I applaud the police and also advise our brothers that the protest is good, so they have to come again and do it decently this time,” he stated.

According to the police, the protesters engaged in various acts of lawlessness and have thus been charged before the court.

The over 50 protesters have been remanded into custody following their appearance in court.

Meanwhile, another anti-galamsey protest has been scheduled for October 3 to October 5, 2024, in Accra.

The objective of the protest is to mount further pressure on the government to take action against illegal mining and to also demand the release of the arrested protesters.

GA/KA

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