MEDIA ASK TO FOCUS ON GALAMSEY HEALTH RELATED ISSUES

 

            George Yorke

The Head of Policy at Water Aid Ghana, George Yorke says it time for the country to prioritize Water in the Climate Change adaptation and National Determine Contribution, NDC Plan policies. According to him, these policies are comprehensive and it will serve as an entry point for water and sanitation. Mr. Yorke said this at a day workshop for stakeholders in the environment sector. The workshop was under the theme: Climate Change and water.  The workshop attracted stakeholders in the environmental sector and the media to deliberate on how best the media and CSOs can collaborate to fight against galamsey and possible solutions to address climate issues. Mr. Yorke noted that climate change awareness at the community level is very low; adding that a survey by Water Aid Ghana at the Upper East Region shows that only 63 percent of the populations have some form of knowledge about climate issues. He said the survey also indicated that 53 percent of the populations have access to sufficient and quality water from boreholes. According to the Sustainable Development Goal 13, climate change should be treated as an urgent issues by Heads of State. Mr. Yorke noted that the space at which government and other civil society organizations are tackling climate change issues will not help the Country to achieve it SDGs target by 2030. He said Ghana is good in developing policies on climate change adaptation but funding has become a major problem for the implementation of all these policies.  A Researcher at the University of Legon Dr. Bob Manteaw noted that the activities of galamsey is not only affecting the water bodies but also the health of the people especially women. He said the health consequences of galamsey is not getting the needed attention in the media as women are the most vulnerable to these tropical diseases. Dr. Manteaw stated that issues of mining and climate change should be given the maximum attention. He said activities of galamsey are gradually destroying the water bodies and Ghana can no longer boast of River Pra, River Densu and River Ankobra among others.

                                  

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VOLTA LAKE QUALITY THREATEN BY AKATENG COMMUNITY

 

STORY BY HAGAR SEY

 

 

volta lake

 Access to clean water and basic sanitation is important to human dignity. Lack of these social amenities can have serious implications on the individual as well as the community at large. At Akateng in the Upper Manya Krobo district, lack of toilet facilities in individual homes has compelled residents to engage in open defecation along the Volta Lake.  the residents explained that the community was initially using a dilapidated school toilet at the Akateng primary school but the facility has since been pulled down. According to them, this situation is what has compelled them to engage in the act. Akateng is a fishing community with a population of over one thousand. For many years, the fast growing community has been deprived of access to potable water and communal toilet facilities. Lack of toilet facilities in individual homes and in the community has compelled residents to practice open defecation along the Volta Lake, which severs as the major source of water for residents. Activities by the community are gradually polluting the Lake. Teachers and pupils alike also engage in open defecation during class’s hours. In an interview with the Head Teacher of the Akateng Junior High School, David Ohenepane Narh said the lack of water as well as toilet facilities at the school is affecting teaching and learning. He explained that both teachers and pupils have to skip classes and walk for about two kilometers to defecate and even wash their hands in the lake. He added that sometime the pupils do not return back to class. The District Chief Executive, Joe Sam said efforts are being made by the Assembly to partner with Non-Governmental Organizations and Philanthropists to construction toilet facilities for the community as well as build a water reservoir that will get its water source from the lake.