Vice President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has reaffirmed the government’s resolve to end illegal mining, otherwise known as “galamsey” in forest reserves and in water bodies.
The Vice President said new measures are being put in place, including a “bill being prepared” to ban illegal mining in forest reserves.
She made the statement when she met with the Ghanaian community in Belgium, including chiefs, elders, youth representatives, and members of the Ghana Council.
“We are working towards banning mining in water bodies. We have been mining gold forever, so why all of a sudden are all our waters polluted?
“The water sources are normally in our reserved portions, and that is the reason why those areas are reserved forests. When you give that to somebody who can even will it to his family, how do you stop that source from polluting the river in many areas?” she said.
She said the new law will reverse existing provisions that permit mining in protected areas and introduce tougher measures to hold offenders accountable.
“We’re working towards banning mining in water bodies. A bill is being prepared to reverse what you saw and to ensure that the people are moved out of these areas and properly placed.
What is even more disturbing is the fact that when some mine, they just leave the place bare,” she said.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang also condemned the practice of leaving uncovered mining pits, warning that such negligence poses severe environmental and safety hazards.
The meeting was part of her official visit to Brussels for the 2025 Global Gateway Forum.
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