The President of the Ghana Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (GAND), Professor Kingsley Kojo Asare Preko has urged the government to be bold and heed the growing calls from citizens to put an end to the destruction of forests, farmlands, water bodies, and the biodiversity they support.
He stressed that the health and livelihoods of Ghanaians are at risk if urgent action is not taken.
Prof. Preko warned that pollution from these illegal operations is affecting water bodies, harming aquatic life, and contaminating the food chain.
He was speaking at the official opening of the 9th Africa Nutrition Conference 2024 under the theme: “Food and Nutrition in a Changing World: Implications for Nutrition Security and Health in Africa.”
He noted that most Ghanaians cannot afford to import clean water and aside from the negative impact of illegal mining on the food chain, the long-term consequences would include severe health issues and premature deaths.
“There’s some leaching of these chemicals that are used in this business of Galamsey into our water bodies that affect our fish, our land, the production that we get from our foods. We must stop this matter now to save the future,” he continued.
Additionally, Professor Martin Ekor, representing the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, spoke on the broader implications of environmental damage on food systems.
He emphasized that global food systems are in a critical state, and solving these complex issues requires collaborative efforts across sectors, with a focus on environmental sustainability.
Prof. Ekor expressed “It is important to reiterate that we stand at a critical juncture in our global food systems.”
“In today’s rapidly changing world, our food systems face unprecedented challenges. The challenges posed by climate change, rapid urbanization, economic instability, public health crisis, and shifting dietary patterns necessitate a transformative approach.”
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Source: Frederick Thompson-Quartey/ATLFMNEWS
