Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the Vice-Presidential Candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safeguarding water bodies and forest reserves while allowing for responsible mining practices in Ghana.
However, he was quick to clarify that while mining activities will continue, they will not occur in sensitive areas such as water bodies or forest reserves.
His comments come in response to ongoing concerns regarding illegal mining activities, commonly known as galamsey, which have significantly harmed the country’s natural resources.
Speaking on Accra-based Peace FM on Wednesday, October 16, Dr. Prempeh emphasized that mining is a vital contributor to the nation’s economy and will not be halted.
“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.