A joint statement from WACAM, the Centre for Public Interest Law (CEPIL), and the Centre for Environmental Impact Analysis (CEIA) has shed light on the devastating effects of surface mining operations in Ghana. To address these issues, the groups propose a non-partisan approach, uniting stakeholders to tackle critical concerns. The non-partisan strategy includes a moratorium on new mining licenses to prevent further environmental degradation and social displacement, a joint citizens' mass actions to mobilize communities, civil society, and government agencies and reviewing and strengthening laws to incorporate robust environmental safeguards and hold mining companies accountable. According to the groups, the consequences of inaction are dire, with mining operations displacing indigenous communities and contaminating drinking water sources. The group also blamed the Minerals and Mining Act (2006) for failing to hold mining companies accountable for environmental violations. The joi
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