The Amansie West District of the Ashanti Region faces a dire public health and environmental concern after chemicals seized from 22 Burkinabe nationals in a joint security operation were confirmed to be cyanide.
The highly toxic chemical used for extracting gold is capable of causing life threatening cardiovascular, respiratory and neurological complications when inhaled or ingested through contaminated food and water and when it comes into direct contact with animals and humans.
The chemical often used by illegal miners with no regulations is also proven to destroy aquatic life, farm lands and vegetation when it seeps into nature.
The development has triggered a district wide sensitization spearheaded by the District Security Council with technical support from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)and Asanko Mines.
The urgent conference brought together Small scale miners, officers of the Amansie District Assembly, the Assembly and unit committee members and traditional authority; to discuss the dangers of cyanide and which practical measures would work in stamping out its use in the district.
Representing the DCE, the District Coordinating Director Thomas Okrah declared a ruthless war against any cartels smuggling in cyanide and using dangerous substances for gold mining in the district.
“Today the message is simple. We are declaring a no go area so far as the use of cyanide in the leaching of gold is concerned in our district. The EPA and Asanko Mines have provided the technical assistance to save our lands, protect our waters and save the lives of our people,” he emphasised.
Some residents are reported to have taken to purchasing these chemicals capable of estracting value from low grade ore gathered from discarded residue of gold mines.
Residents who spoke to GHOne News expressed fear of the frightening consequences of a cyanide contamination will overwhelm the already fragile security and health condition of the district with particular effect on children.
“As they told us the dangers of this chemical, I panicked because even a drop of it in our water is a danger to our health. I am particular about the children because in our community, children also go to the mining site,” Mavis Osei Kyei, assembly member for manso Asaaman indicated.
“The people should be very cautious because cyanide is a deadly chemical that Is being introduced into the community. It is going to kill a lot of people unknowingly. We must educate the children, the future leaders, to stay away from galamsey, a Government Appointee Thomas Donkor warned. “
The foreign nationals caught with cyanide stored in barrels and other receptacles in a joint operation of the District Security Council, the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) and the Ghana Immigration Service, have since been prosecuted.
To assess the extent of cyanide contamination; the District Security Council has developed a comprehensive plan to work with the relevant agencies to test samples of all water bodies and endangered vegetation in the community.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
