The Western North Regional Minister has blamed illegal mining (galamsey), poor environmental attitudes and the indiscriminate construction of buildings on waterways for the recent floods experienced across parts of the region.
According to the Minister, flooding is not new to the Western North region, but the scale witnessed this year is alarming because of human activities.
“Floods have occurred since time immemorial, but the intensity we are witnessing this year is very huge, and this is largely due to the actions and inactions of our own people. We must all be careful about our lifestyle and how we treat the environment,” he said.
The Minister noted that illegal mining has significantly contributed to environmental degradation, worsening the impact of heavy rains.
“Illegal mining activities are playing a major role in the flooding situation we are experiencing,” he stated.
He therefore cautioned developers to ensure they obtain the appropriate permits before embarking on any construction projects.
The Minister also tasked Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) to strictly enforce planning regulations.
“Building permits should only be issued when people are constructing at the right places and not on waterways or other unauthorised locations,” he stressed.
He called on residents, developers and local authorities to work together to protect the environment and help prevent future flooding in the region.
Why Ghana’s flooding crisis demands radical behavioral and legal shifts
