EPA Chief Orders Intensified Monitoring to Combat Illegal Mining
The Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), Prof. Nana Ama Browne Klutse, has instructed regional and area offices to strengthen their monitoring activities in an effort to curb illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
During a field visit to Beposo in the Western Region, Prof. Klutse underscored the significance of proactive monitoring to mitigate the environmental damage caused by illegal mining, particularly the pollution of water bodies.
“I’m on the field as the CEO, monitoring galamsey issues and assessing the extent of water pollution. All my staff in regional and area offices must actively engage in this mission to ensure compliance with environmental regulations,” she stated.
Expressing concern over the deteriorating state of the country’s water bodies, including the Pra River, she highlighted the devastating impact of illegal mining activities.
“We are currently standing below the bridge at Beposo, and you can see that the Pra River is contaminated. This is due to illegal mining activities occurring upstream, particularly in the Eastern Region, which results in polluted water flowing downstream to this area,” she noted.
Prof. Klutse called on community members and traditional authorities to take an active role in protecting water resources by reporting and preventing illegal mining activities.
“The EPA is urging community members, especially those in areas affected by illegal mining, to alert the EPA. They have the capacity to prevent unauthorized mining in their water bodies.
“We are also appealing to chiefs and elders to assert their authority to protect rivers that communities rely on for domestic purposes, ensuring they are not destroyed or polluted as we are witnessing,” she added.
The EPA’s latest directive is part of intensified efforts to address environmental degradation caused by illegal mining and safeguard the nation’s natural resources.
