The Concerned Citizens of Atewa Landscape (CCAL) has issued a stark warning that Ghana risks sliding into a full-blown national health disaster if illegal small-scale mining, popularly known as galamsey, is not halted immediately.

Drawing parallels to the tragic mercury poisoning in Minamata, Japan, in the 1950s, which left thousands dead and generations permanently scarred, CCAL said Ghana is showing alarming signs of a similar crisis.