By: Nana Kwame Bediako
As numerous water bodies in the country continue to experience high levels of pollution due to illegal mining activities, the supply of clean water has significantly dwindled. This pervasive issue, primarily driven by “galamsey” operations in rural areas, has caused detrimental effects on almost all water bodies. Despite the economic benefits that mining brings, these illegal activities are tarnishing natural resources and posing a severe threat to the environment.
On Wednesday, September 4, 2024, Nana Akwasi Awuah, the CEO of PMMC and a member of the Minerals/Mines/Natural Resources Manifesto Subcomittee of the NPP, discussed the issue on GBC’s ‘Focus Show’. He emphasised that mining is an economic activity that has been integral to the country for over a century. He noted that mining is a legitimate economic venture, protected under Ghana’s Constitution, particularly under Chapter 5, which allows citizens to engage in lawful economic activities.
Nana Akwasi Awuah highlighted the substantial contributions of mining to Ghana’s GDP, mentioning that the small-scale sector alone accounts for about 40% of the country’s gold exports. He proudly stated that Ghana is currently the top gold producer in Africa and ranks sixth globally. Despite these achievements, he stressed the urgent need for more stringent regulation of the mining sector to ensure that economic activities do not come at the expense of the environment.
He further argued that while mining is a constitutionally protected activity, the current scenario shows a glaring lack of protection for the environment. He called for a balanced approach that allows Ghanaians to continue their legitimate economic activities while ensuring that these do not harm natural resources. The focus, he said, should be on regulating mining activities in a way that promotes sustainability and environmental protection.
