The National Chairman of the Ghana Coalition of NGOs in Health (GCNH), Mr Bright Amissah-Nyarko, has appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to suspend all forms of small scale mining activities for the next six months in order to create a recovery period for all water bodies. "We also propose to the transitional team and the incoming government, to hold a high level political dialogue with small scale and illegal miners to propose solutions to these menace by themselves and also apply the mining rules and enforce the laws," he stated.
He further advocated appropriate and sustainable mining practice, devoid of water pollution, free counseling and screening to children and women in galamsey in the regions, for early detection of mercury and lead for treatment.
Mr Amissah-Nyarko made these proposals yesterday at the opening of the 18th Annual General Meeting of (GCNH) on theme: 'Reflecting on the impact of illegal mining (galamsey) in Ghana-Safeguarding One health, a call for a national action,' in Takoradi, of the Western Region.
He also called for the engagement of local communities and traditional authority to recommend indigenous solutions the fight against galamsey to create alternative, attractive and sustainable livelihood and jobs for illegal miners.
