Flagbearer hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and former Minister for Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong, has called for a temporary nationwide ban on all forms of mining to help restore Ghana’s deteriorating water bodies.
Mr. Acheampong described the situation as a “major problem” that requires urgent and collective action, urging the government and stakeholders to “avert our minds to it and deal with it now.”
Speaking during a stakeholder engagement on October 15, he proposed a 90-day suspension of all mining activities — both legal and illegal regardless of the financial consequences, to allow time for reflection, reorganization, and recovery of affected rivers and lands.
“We must put a stop to mining for 90 days, regardless of the financial consequences. This is not a state of emergency, but a moment for us to engage and decide how to go back,” he said.
Bryan Acheampong emphasized that while the mining sector remains a vital source of revenue, its current environmental toll is unsustainable. He believes halting all operations temporarily will give authorities the opportunity to “regroup, rethink, and relaunch into responsible mining.”
“Mining, regardless of where it is happening, should stop for the next 90 days. Let’s take this time to rethink how we can go back to responsible mining,” he added.
Ghana’s small-scale and illegal mining activities, locally known as galamsey, have been widely blamed for polluting major rivers such as the Pra, Offin, and Ankobra, threatening water supply for millions of people.
Mr. Acheampong’s call adds to growing public pressure on the government to take decisive action against galamsey operators and enforce environmental protection measures more effectively.
