Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi stated that chemicals used in galamsey are contaminating water bodies and the environment, posing serious risks to communities, especially pregnant women and unborn children. He cited observations from Catholic health facilities suggesting a rise in deformities among newborns. According to him, these poisons enter the food chain and can affect foetuses, leading to babies being born deformed. He also noted that the environmental damage from illegal mining forces residents in affected rural communities to purchase water for drinking and cooking, and has reduced access to fish. While acknowledging improvements in efforts to combat illegal mining, Most Rev. Gyamfi called for stronger actions to protect water bodies and communities from the ongoing effects of the activity, according to The Chronicle Ghana.