The Ghana Federation of Traditional Medicine Practitioners Associations (GHAFTRAM) has reiterated advice to members to stop cultivating medicinal plants in areas heavily affected by illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
GHAFTRAM General Secretary, Okogyeabibiduro Nana Kwadwo Obiri, said the decision was necessary because plants cultivated in galamsey-affected areas could be contaminated and pose risks to traditional medicine practitioners and their clients.
Speaking in an interview on Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem, he said about 40 percent of the areas where members previously cultivated medicinal plants have now been considered unsafe.
“When you look at the areas where galamsey is taking place, we do not have much control over what is happening there. So, we have advised our members to desist from cultivating medicinal plants in those areas,” he said.
Nana Kwadwo Obiri explained that the Federation had no option but to take the precautionary measure to protect the quality and safety of the plants used in preparing traditional medicines.
“For now, I can tell you that about 40 percent of the areas where we cultivate our plants, we have asked our members not to cultivate there because it will not be safe for us,” he stated.
He, however, noted that some parts of the northern regions, including the North East, Oti and Savannah areas, still have relatively safe environments where practitioners can obtain good-quality medicinal plants.
“Some parts of the north, Oti and Savannah are a bit better. We can still get plants from those areas, and they are very good,” he said.
The GHAFTRAM General Secretary therefore appealed to Ghanaians to support efforts to end illegal mining, warning that the continued destruction of the environment could have serious consequences for traditional medicine and the country as a whole.
“We urge Ghanaians to rally their support for us to ensure that we get rid of galamsey in our country because it is becoming very worrying,” he said.
He also expressed concern about the involvement of foreign nationals in illegal mining, alleging that some Ghanaians are supporting their activities.
“Some of those doing the galamsey are from other countries, but some Ghanaians are behind them and supporting them. The government must do something about it because this is a national security threat,” Nana Kwadwo Obiri added.
He called on the government and relevant authorities to intensify efforts to combat illegal mining and protect areas used for the cultivation of medicinal plants.
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