The Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, Dr. Zenator Agyeman-Rawlings, has called for tougher measures against illegal mining, describing the continued destruction of the environment as a threat to public health, food security and the future of Ghana.
She made the call during a visit to the Eastern Regional Minister, Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, on Tuesday evening, October 20, 2026, following an assessment of areas affected by illegal mining in the region.
Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings expressed concern over the activities of illegal miners operating in broad daylight less than 200 metres from a major road, despite ongoing efforts to remediate degraded lands.
She urged the Eastern Regional Security Council (REGSEC) to investigate the situation and strengthen oversight to ensure that illegal mining activities are brought under control.
“What we saw was disturbing, extremely disturbing, and we really need to do a little bit more,” she said, stressing the need for a coordinated response to the persistent environmental destruction.
The minister questioned why illegal miners appeared emboldened to operate openly, despite enforcement measures and efforts to promote environmentally sustainable small-scale mining.
She said the situation required stronger collaboration among security agencies and other relevant institutions to address the problem at the regional level.
Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings warned that the consequences of illegal mining extend beyond environmental degradation to serious risks to human health.
She described the uncontrolled use of hazardous chemicals, including mercury and cyanide, outside properly regulated mining operations as a danger to communities and the wider population.
According to her, the effects of illegal mining should not be viewed merely as a problem affecting rivers, forests and farmlands, but as a public health crisis with potential consequences for present and future generations.
She called for greater public awareness of the possible health implications of environmental contamination, including risks to maternal and infant health.
The minister also warned that continued pollution of water bodies and destruction of arable land could undermine Ghana’s ability to produce enough food and provide safe drinking water for its citizens.
The minister further advocated stronger legal measures, including the establishment of environmental fast-track courts, to ensure that cases involving environmental destruction are dealt with more expeditiously.
She maintained that illegal mining should not be treated as a political issue but as a criminal activity with far-reaching consequences for the country.
Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings said the government had been providing alternative pathways for small-scale miners to operate legally and sustainably, including training in safer mining practices.
She argued that those who continued to flout the law despite the availability of such alternatives should face stringent enforcement measures.
“If we are providing alternatives and putting money into training people on how to engage in safe small-scale mining, and people are still opting to do this, for me, it’s a blatant disregard of everything we hold dear as a country,” she said.
She added that environmental laws must be enforced consistently and that the pursuit of wealth should not be allowed to override the protection of the environment and the rights of citizens.
She acknowledged that efforts to combat illegal mining were ongoing but said the situation required sustained action, particularly where miners continued to operate openly.
Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings stressed that the government had a constitutional responsibility to protect the environment and safeguard the health, dignity and rights of Ghanaians.
Eastern Regional Minister Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey called for closer cooperation between the Environment Ministry, the Eastern Regional Coordinating Council, security agencies and other stakeholders to identify enforcement challenges and develop lasting solutions.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com
