The Chief Executive Officer of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), Nana Ama Browne Klutse, has clarified that the Authority’s core responsibility is environmental protection — not solely the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
According to her, the EPA’s legal mandate is to safeguard Ghana’s environment by regulating all activities that negatively affect the air, water, and soil.
“Our mandate is not to fight galamsey. Our mandate is to protect the environment. Any activity that has an impact on the environment is where we come in — and that includes galamsey,” she stated.
Prof. Klutse acknowledged that illegal mining remains one of the most destructive environmental challenges in the country. She noted that galamsey activities have devastated farmlands, polluted major water bodies, and degraded air quality through the release of harmful substances during mining operations.
She described the situation as alarming, stressing that the environmental damage caused by illegal mining continues to threaten livelihoods, public health, and long-term ecological sustainability.
However, she emphasized that the EPA’s regulatory oversight extends beyond illegal mining. Manufacturing companies, industrial operations, and other commercial activities also have the potential to harm the environment if not properly monitored and controlled.
“The EPA is not just about galamsey. Any activity that affects the air, soil, or water falls within our regulatory scope,” she explained.
Her remarks underscore the Authority’s broader commitment to enforcing environmental standards across all sectors to ensure sustainable development and protect Ghana’s natural resources for future generations.
Story: Nyamebeye Kofi Ansah Sasraku