A flagbearer hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Bryan Acheampong, has proposed a short-term plan to address issues related to illegal mining activities in the country.
Addressing the media on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, in a video shared by Joynews, he called for an immediate 90-day ban on illegal mining activities.
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Dr Acheampong acknowledged the damages caused by illegal mining (galamsey) activities to water bodies and forest reserves, explaining that the temporary ban could be used to explore measures for promoting responsible mining.
“… Let’s clear our water bodies, let’s engage how we go back to mining. We cannot stop or repair the track of a moving train as fast as it is speeding. We need to agree, and I’m not talking about state of emergency, that mining, regardless of where, should stop now for the next 90 days,” he said.
He emphasised that it is crucial for both the government and the citizenry to take decisive actions against illegal mining, warning that complacency and greed could pose a serious existential threat to the nation.
“Let’s regroup, rethink and see how we can launch back into responsible mining. If our food systems are being poisoned and we just look on, that we prefer to make the money, the people will not be around in a very short time to try and address the situation,” he warned.
Dr Bryan Acheampong’s remarks come on the back of alarming concerns raised by researchers and experts about the continuous pollution and contamination of food crops, resulting from illegal mining activities.
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Researchers have revealed that poisonous metals such as mercury, lead, arsenic, among others, have been found in some food crops cultivated in areas affected by galamsey.
Watch the video below:
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