At the 24th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the Ghana Institute of Horticulturists, held on November 14, 2024, at the Gardiner Conference Hall, KNUST’s Provost of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Prof. Dadson Awunyo-Vito, highlighted serious health risks posed by “galamsey” (illegal mining) on horticultural crop consumers. Speaking on this year’s theme, “Agrochemical Usage for Enhanced Horticultural Crops Production: Our Health, Wealth and Environment,” Prof. Awunyo-Vito expressed concern over the impact of galamsey activities on Ghana’s soil, water, and environment.
He noted that pollution from these activities introduces heavy metals into horticultural produce, which can then accumulate in consumers’ bodies, threatening public health.
In response to these risks, the Provost announced ongoing research on crops capable of removing heavy metals from contaminated soil, making produce safer. He was optimistic that these developments, once implemented, would help address the dangers posed by polluted land, safeguarding both the environment and consumer health.