Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, says the nation’s water bodies have been turned into poison as a result of illegal mining activities (galamsey).
He revealed the alarming pollution levels in Ghana’s water bodies, highlighting that turbidity levels have skyrocketed between 5,000 and 12,000, far exceeding the acceptable threshold of 500.
According to him, it is not time for an all hands on deck approach in the fight against galamsey as he proceeded to describe galamseyers as dangerous terrorists threatening the lives of Ghanaians.
Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, April 3, 2025, the Minister condemned the devastating environmental and social impact of illegal mining, stressing that it endangers millions of citizens while benefiting only a select few.
“You cannot have a country where your water systems are so polluted that the turbidity levels are 5,000 to 12,000 when it should be 500. It means we are drinking poison”.
He further reiterated the government’s commitment to using all available resources to combat illegal mining, which continues to ravage forests, water bodies, and farmlands across the nation.
While cracking down on illegal mining, lands minister assured that the government is willing to support genuine small-scale miners who follow due legal processes.
“If anybody wants to do genuine small-scale mining, this government is committed to guiding them, giving them licenses, and setting them on the path of responsible and sustainable operations”.
Emphasizing the need for collaboration, he urged citizens, security forces, and environmental activists to join forces to combat illegal mining.
“This must be a collective fight, and we can no longer allow a few individuals to destroy our resources and risk our lives”.
Ever since assuming office, the Mahama led administration has put in place numerous measures to fight galamsey.
President John Dramani Mahama has issued a directive banning government officials from engaging in mining with immediate effect urged government officials to resign from their positions if they seek to engage in mining activities.
“I have directed that no government appointee at any level should engage in any form of legal or illegal mining. If you want to be a miner, leave the government and go and be a miner,” he declared.
This directive forms part of President Mahama’s broader environmental agenda and plan to prevent illegal mining activities in Ghana.
Prior to this directive, President Mahama has also revoked mining leases in forest reserves and banned the issuance of new ones in these protected areas.
The minsitry of Lands and Natural Resources has also launched the Blue Water Initiative aimed at training 2,000 personnel across the country to monitor river health, identify illegal mining activities, and collaborate with local communities and traditional authorities to fight galamseyers destroying Ghana’s river bodies.
Also, major arrests have been made by the joint efforts of the Forestry Commission and Ghana Police Service.
These collective actions and initiatives have been attributed to the gains made in the fight against galamsey.
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