Heavy Risks: An Africa Health Collaborative Documentary

In Ghana's Shama District, the rice fields of Whin Valley hold immense agricultural potential, providing food and livelihoods to the local community and beyond. But beneath this fertile land, a hidden story unfolds.
Three Mastercard Foundation Scholars from the University of Toronto set out to explore how local farming practices and nearby #Galamsey (illegal mining) activities may be impacting soil and community health.
Heavy Risks follows the three researchers; Martin Bartels, Emmanuella Avornyoh, and Emmanuel Opoku-Mensah as they conduct a preliminary quantitative risk assessment (PQRA), measuring heavy metal levels in the soil and laying the groundwork for deeper research on the potential health risks for farmers and residents.
Through stunning landscapes and candid conversations with local farmers, this documentary captures a journey about soil health, sustainability, and the community’s well-being.
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The Mastercard Foundation is a registered Canadian charity and one of the largest foundations in the world. It works with visionary organizations to advance education and financial inclusion to enable young people in Africa and Indigenous youth in Canada to access dignified and fulfilling work. Established in 2006 through the generosity of Mastercard when it became a public company, the Foundation is an independent organization separate from the company, with offices in Toronto, Kigali, Accra, Nairobi, Kampala, Lagos, Dakar, and Addis Ababa. Its policies, operations, and program decisions are determined by the Foundation’s Board of Directors and leadership.