The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Vice-Presidential Candidate, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh (NAPO), has reiterated the government’s dedication to protecting Ghana’s water bodies and forest reserves while promoting responsible mining practices.
During a recent appearance on Peace FM in Accra on October 16, Dr. Prempeh addressed the ongoing issues related to illegal mining, known as galamsey, which have caused significant damage to the nation’s natural resources.
He emphasized that while mining activities will persist, they will be strictly regulated to prevent operations in sensitive areas like water bodies and forest reserves.
“We will never stop mining. Mining has given the country a lot of benefits; how else would we be able to implement the Gold-for-oil Policy? But we will not mine in water bodies and forest reserves.
“We will implement policies that will equip miners, be it community mining or small-scale mining, with resources for them to mine responsibly and restore the environment.
“We don’t like the use of mercury and the other things they use to disrupt the environment. It was Nana Addo’s government that brought in the gold catchers that are bringing in a higher amount of gold, the same amount of work you have done.
“As the saying goes, water is life and as the last tree dies, the last man dies.. that is why you don’t get people living in the desert. We will protect the forest, we will protect the water bodies, but the mining will continue to be done,” he stated.
Dr. Prempeh outlined plans to introduce policies that will empower miners—whether engaged in community or small-scale mining—to operate responsibly and restore the environment. He condemned the use of harmful substances like mercury, which disrupt the ecosystem.
He highlighted the government’s introduction of gold catchers, which have significantly increased gold production without compromising environmental integrity.