President John Dramani Mahama has called on stakeholders in the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, to remain steadfast, highlighting early signs of success in restoring affected water bodies.
Speaking at the annual New Year School conference in Accra on Tuesday, January 6, the President recounted a visit to Crown Forest over the Christmas period, where he and his family enjoyed a peaceful retreat away from the holiday crowds.
During the visit, he observed notable improvements in the Ayensu River, which flows near areas previously ravaged by illegal mining activities.
“…The Environmental Protection Agency, all of those involved in the fight against illegal and mining, please don’t give up. There are some positive results beginning to show,” he said.
Mahama explained that the river, which six months ago had the dark, coffee-like colour typical of mining pollution, was now clearer, resembling light milo. He credited the improvement to the efforts of the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), and river guards who had taken decisive action upstream against illegal mining.
“…We appreciate the work that NAIMOS and the river guards are doing. Apparently the river guards had operated upstream where the mining was taking place and so it had changed the colour of the water. So that is why I am encouraging you to keep up the fight and even strengthen it,” he added.
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