Zanetor Rawlings Drops Powerful Message About Galamsey

The Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, has called for more decisive action against illegal mining, urging state agencies to ensure that individuals responsible for environmental destruction face the consequences of their activities.

The minister expressed concern about the persistent damage caused by illegal mining, particularly the pollution of rivers and other water sources, as well as the destruction of land. She stressed that existing environmental laws must be enforced more effectively to prevent further deterioration of the country’s natural resources.

According to a GhanaWeb report published on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, Dr Agyeman-Rawlings made the remarks during a field visit on Tuesday, October 20, when she underscored the need for stronger regulatory oversight and accountability in the mining sector.

She maintained that people engaged in activities that damage the environment should not be allowed to escape punishment. She therefore called on the relevant institutions to step up monitoring and enforcement efforts to ensure that offenders are identified and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

The minister also revealed that she had received a briefing from the Chief Executive Officer of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) on operational difficulties confronting the authority and its officers during field assignments.

Dr Agyeman-Rawlings acknowledged the financial and logistical efforts being made to restore lands degraded by mining. However, she warned that the rehabilitation exercise could lose its impact if illegal operators continued to invade areas selected for reclamation.

She further insisted that environmental standards must be applied consistently to all mining operators in Ghana, regardless of whether they are Ghanaian citizens or foreign investors. According to her, nationality or social standing should not determine how environmental laws are enforced.

As part of efforts to address the situation, the minister said she planned to hold discussions with the EPA chief executive and the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources to consider practical measures for tackling illegal mining.

She also indicated that national security agencies would be brought into the effort to strengthen enforcement and prevent illegal miners from entering lands earmarked for restoration.

The minister emphasised that protecting communities and preserving Ghana’s natural resources required prompt and coordinated action from the relevant authorities. She cautioned that continued illegal mining could jeopardise ongoing rehabilitation programmes and worsen the environmental challenges facing affected areas.

Her comments come amid continuing concerns about the impact of illegal mining on Ghana’s water bodies, agricultural lands and wider ecosystems, with renewed attention on the need for effective law enforcement and sustained environmental protection measures.

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