Illegal mining activities along Ghana’s river bodies and forest reserves are emerging as a significant national security threat to both the environment and public health. The Ghana Medical Association has urgently called for government intervention to halt small-scale and illegal mining operations to prevent further health issues among communities living along riverbanks.
Prosper Hoetu, Senior Research Officer, highlighted these concerns during an appearance on the Adekyee Mu Nsem morning show on Ahotor 92.3 FM, hosted by Citizen Kofi Owusu in Accra. Hoetu stressed that the threat posed by illegal mining, often referred to as “galamsey,” is severe enough to warrant a nationwide response to protect our polluted river bodies and devastated forests.
Hoetu criticized President Nana Akufo-Addo for lacking political will to address the issue. He noted that while the president had previously attempted to ban small-scale and illegal mining, the problem persists, partly due to high-profile government figures benefiting from these illicit activities.
Adding to the criticism, Hoetu pointed out that the government’s actions, such as the introduction of a legislative instrument (LI) in June 2022 to permit mining in forest reserves, have exacerbated the damage to water bodies and forests. He called for a shift away from political considerations to tackle illegal mining through sustainable practices.
Hoetu also compared the current situation to 2014, when the rate of environmental destruction was between 10% and 15% under the NDC government. He suggested that current political patronage and influence have worsened the situation, with the destruction now estimated at around 34%.
In related developments, John Oti Bless, Chairman of the Sanitation and Water Resources Committee of Parliament, has demanded the resignation of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo due to the government’s perceived failure to address the galamsey crisis.
President Akufo-Addo had pledged in 2017 to tackle illegal mining, asserting that he would put his presidency on the line if the problem was not resolved. However, the pollution of water bodies continues, prompting renewed calls from stakeholders for decisive action.
In a recent interview, John Oti Bless, who is also the Nkwanta North MP, condemned the president’s inaction. He urged media to hold the president accountable, referencing a World Bank report predicting that Ghana might need to import water in the near future due to the ongoing environmental damage.
“Akufo-Addo, as a human rights lawyer, should be held accountable for allowing this situation to deteriorate under his watch,” Bless stated.
