PSG sounds alarm: Illegal mining could force Ghana to import water for pharmaceuticals
The Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSG) raises concerns about the detrimental impact of unchecked illegal mining activities on the local drug manufacturing sector. Their president, Samuel Kow Donkoh, highlights the severe contamination of water sources by galamsey operations, emphasizing the potential need for water importation to sustain pharmaceutical production. “The activities of illegal Mining have devastated our water bodies. Making it expensive for pharmaceutical companies to treat water for production purposes”
“If this environmental degradation continues, we may soon import water to support our local manufacturing industry”.
During the Annual General Meeting, President Samuel Kow Donkoh underscores the critical reliance of pharmaceutical production on high-quality water sources. “We cannot afford to compromise on the quality of our drugs. The health and well-being of our citizens depend on it,” he emphasized. Dr. Anthony Nsiah Asare, the Presidential Advisor on Health, underscores the importance of implementing comprehensive measures to address illegal mining practices and safeguard domestic production.“There are laws in the country and we will make sure they apply but the fight is holistic so everybody should be on board. We are calling on all political parties to put their hands under a pact” he said.
Moreover, the Pharmaceutical Society expresses grave concerns over the shortage of pharmacists in the public sector, caused by the government’s recruitment freeze. The representation from Kumawuhene, Barimah Sarfo Tweneboah Koduah, advocating for adequate financial support for pharmacists highlights the crucial role of healthcare professionals in ensuring access to quality pharmaceutical services.
