The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has issued a strong directive ordering the immediate cessation of all illegal mining activities in and around Ghana’s water bodies.
This urgent intervention follows alarming reports of widespread environmental destruction caused by illegal mining (commonly known as galamsey), which threatens the country’s water sources, wildlife, and public health.
In a press statement dated January 28, 2025, the EPA expressed deep concern over the escalating damage, warning that unchecked mining operations could have devastating long-term consequences.
Citing Section 2 and 3b(ii) of the Environmental Protection Act, 2025 (Act 1124), the EPA directed all individuals and entities engaged in both small- and large-scale illegal mining to immediately cease operations.
To enforce this directive, the agency is working in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Science, and Technology (MEST), the Minerals Commission, the Water Resources Commission, and security agencies. The measures to be implemented include:
- Seizing equipment used in illegal mining operations.
- Increasing surveillance and conducting regular site inspections.
- Prosecuting individuals and organizations found violating environmental laws.
Professor Nana Ama Browne Klutse, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the EPA, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to protecting Ghana’s natural resources and ensuring strict compliance with environmental regulations.
“The EPA will not relent in its efforts to safeguard our environment. Any individual or company found engaging in illegal mining activities will face the full force of the law,” the statement warned.
With the government under pressure to combat the galamsey menace, this latest directive signals a renewed determination to tackle illegal mining head-on.
However, it remains to be seen whether enforcement efforts will be effective in stopping the devastation of Ghana’s water bodies.
