The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is ramping up its fight against illegal mining (galamsey), with its Acting CEO, Prof. Nana Ama Browne Klutse, calling for intensified monitoring in regional and area offices across Ghana.

On a visit to Beposo in the Western Region, Prof. Klutse highlighted the urgent need for on-the-ground action to combat the growing pollution of water bodies caused by illegal mining.

“As CEO, I’m personally monitoring the situation and ensuring my staff in all regional and area offices are doing the same,” she said. “We need to make sure people are following environmental regulations.”

Prof. Klutse expressed particular concern over the worsening state of rivers like the Pra, which have been severely polluted by illegal mining activities. She pointed to visible contamination near Beposo, where polluted water from the mining sites in the Eastern region flows downstream.

“We’re standing right next to the Pra River, and it’s clear that it’s been contaminated,” she said. “This is the direct result of illegal mining in the water.”

In a plea to local communities, Prof. Klutse encouraged residents and traditional leaders to take responsibility for protecting their water resources, urging them to report illegal mining activities before they cause more damage.

“We’re asking the community to report illegal mining activities to the EPA and to take a stand,” she added. “We also need chiefs and elders to use their influence to prevent further destruction of the rivers people depend on for their daily lives.”

Source:TheDotNews