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The Minister of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations, Sam Nartey George, has admitted that President John Mahama could have moved faster in the fight against illegal mining (galamsey).
Sam George argued that he wishes galamsey could even end today.
Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express, Sam Nartey George stated, “That was seven years, nine months into the Nana Akufo-Addo administration. After multiple anti-galamsey task forces and millions of cedis spent, it was fair to demand action. We didn’t see it.”
Sam George admitted, “Do I wish I had seen more? Absolutely. I wish it ended today. But in the nine months, I can confidently say that I see a desire and a will to deal with galamsey that didn’t exist in the previous eight years.”
“Under the previous president, a regional chairman openly told a minister that they must engage in galamsey because the party needed money. The president went on to campaign for that individual. That was tacit endorsement,” he said.
The communication minister stressed, “A lot more could be done in terms of enforcement. We could move faster”.
“The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has started fantastically well, but we must not rest on our laurels. We should go all out and win this war, if not for anything, in memory of the eight gallant sons who died in the helicopter crash.”
Sam George further responded to claims he once called for a state of emergency in galamsey-hit areas.
“I have never, ever called for a state of emergency”, he stated.
He maintained, “Galamsey remains the biggest existential threat to our nation. It is Ghana’s version of Colombia’s drug cartels. Our armed forces are capable of launching surgical operations to win this war”.
“Have we fixed it? Not yet. But I am confident that before the expiration of President Mahama’s term, we will be in a better place,” he said.
Meanwhile, Toxicologist Yakubu Adam has issued a blunt warning that no amount of cooking or seasoning can destroy mercury, a heavy metal found in foodstuffs.
The toxicologist revealed that mercury, which is a heavy metal, has a lifespan of 880 years.
Toxicologist Yakubu Adam directly linked this immutable fact to the recent cases of food poisoning.
He argued that without a decisive end to illegal mining (galamsey), there is no viable solution to the contamination of the food supply.
Speaking on TV3 New Day, Toxicologist Yakubu Adam explained, “When it comes to the mercury that we are talking about, it is a heavy metal and it is also non-biodegradable, meaning it can never be destroyed when it gets into the environment, it stays in the environment.
One thing about this mercury is that if you end up taking it in your body, and you pass on through the natural process when they bury you inside the soil, you go with the mercury in your grave, so this mercury can stay in the environment for about 880 years without being destroyed, and there is nothing that can destroy it.
No amount of heat, no amount of salt, no amount of whatever you think can. You know this is not a bacterial infection or a fungal infection. They are not caused by parasites; this is heavy metals”.
He added, “So, salt water, heating, and everything can never break down this mercury in our food. When it gets into our food, it stays in our food, and we end up consuming it, and it gets into our bodies, and there are a lot of health implications”.
When it gets to our body, the major depositing part is our brain. When it gets there, it can stay in our brain for almost 20 years and can lead to neurological or neuroregenerative problems”.
The Toxicologist added that the only way to stop the exposure is to stop illegal mining (galamsey) or to stop the use of mercury in mining processes.