VP Opoku-Agyemang Urges MPs to Join Fight Against Illegal Mining
Accra, Ghana - 27 Feb, 2025 - Ghana's Vice President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has urged Members of Parliament from mining communities to take a strong stance against illegal mining, known locally as galamsey.
Speaking at the Parliamentarians Conference on Restoring the Culture of Small-Scale Mining in Ghana, Opoku-Agyemang emphasized the need for collective action to address the environmental degradation caused by reckless mining activities.
The Vice President warned that all three of Ghana's water basin systems are at risk, and forty-four forest reserves have been devastated by galamsey. She commended the new Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, for his efforts to confront the menace with a holistic approach.
Opoku-Agyemang stressed that restoring responsible mining practices requires a multi-stakeholder approach. She outlined deliberate steps to curb illegal mining, regulate the sector effectively, and ensure that small-scale mining benefits the economy and local communities without compromising the environment.
Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the convener and host of the conference, also called for urgent action to restore responsible small-scale mining in Ghana. He warned that environmental degradation threatens livelihoods and the national economy.
The conference brought together key stakeholders, including parliamentarians, environmental experts, and industry players, to discuss sustainable solutions for Ghana's small-scale mining sector.
In his closing remarks, the Rt Hon. Speaker of the House, Hon. Alban Bagbin, issued a stern warning that Parliament will not tolerate any member found to be complicit in illegal mining activities.
Source: Lead News Online
