Civil society organizations are urging the Environmental Protection Agency to halt the issuance of new mining permits, citing severe health and environmental risks linked to illegal mining. This call was made during a press engagement at the Africa Water Week 2024 celebration in Accra.
For years, Ghanaians have been demanding that successive governments take decisive action to end illegal mining. The Ashanti, Western, Western North, and Eastern regions have been identified as galamsey hotspots, with over 60 percent of the country’s water bodies contaminated by mercury and other hazardous heavy metals, leading to health issues such as kidney failure and respiratory conditions.
Thanks to the persistent efforts of the media, journalists, and civil society organizations, there are renewed and louder calls for the government to act immediately. Some civil society organizations and experts are advocating for a complete ban on illegal mining.
The Media Coalition Against Galamsey is the latest group to urge all Ghanaians to join its red band’s silent protest against the menace. Leonard Shane Quartey, a coordinator of the Africa Water Justice Network, emphasized the need for accountability, stating, “For a change to occur, it is crucial that the government listens to its people, embraces accountability, and seeks sustainable solutions that honor both the land and the lives dependent on it.”
Stakeholders insist that the government must heed the voices of its citizens and pursue sustainable solutions to protect the environment and public health.
By Eric Bekoe
