Executive Director of Eco-Conscious Citizens, Awula Serwah, has called on the government to take decisive action in the fight against illegal mining by repealing L.I. 2462 and suspending small-scale mining operations.
Speaking on ABC in the Morning, she stressed that these measures would demonstrate true political will and a serious commitment to protecting Ghana’s environment.
“We have to understand that we face an existential threat. The political will needs to be there,” she stated.
Her comments follow President John Mahama’s national address on his 120-day social contract, during which he reiterated the administration’s stance against illegal mining.
However, Awula Serwah believes words must be matched with bold action. She urged the dismissal of the Minerals Commission head over alleged lapses in license oversight and called for stronger enforcement mechanisms, including constant monitoring to prevent the return of galamsey activities.
Awula Serwah emphasized that Ghana’s forests and water bodies are under dire threat, and without prompt, assertive interventions, the damage may become irreversible.
She warned that tackling illegal mining must move beyond rhetoric, pointing out that consistent and transparent regulatory enforcement would signal the government’s readiness to protect the country’s natural resources for future generations.
