The Eastern Regional Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Felix Addo- Okyireh has proposed what he described as effective environmental sustainability measures to curb illegal mining and to encourage responsive mining in the Eastern region.
According to him, illegal mining remains the main cause of environmental pollution in Ghana currently which he attributed to greed, selfishness, poverty and ignorance.
Reiterating and affirming EPA’s commitment to the fight against illegal mining, Felix Addo-Okyireh noted that protecting the environment is a collective responsibility hence called for institutional and community partnership to ensure that the consequences of illegal mining do not reach their dangerous potential.
He clarified further that mitigating the impact of illegal mining requires enforcement of the law by EPA , Minerals Commission and also government institutions must be encouraged to speed up issuance of legal documentations (Mining lease, Permits etc) to individuals or companies which go through proper procedure for concessions to mine.
Mr. Felix Addo-Okyireh made the disclosure during the official launch of “Asiakwa Working Group(AWG)” in the Abuakwa South Constituency of the Eastern region with the ultimate aim to end illegal mining and to ensure a Sustainable Development and Environmental Stewardship in Asiakwa and it environs.
The Executive Secretary of “Asiakwa Working Group AWG” Mr. Robinson Appiah Frempong highlighted the objectives and what necessitated the launching of the group saying the group aims at sustaining and protecting the environment from further deteriorating especially from the activities of illegal mining.
Reacting to the devastation caused by illegal mining in Asiakwa community, Robinson Appiah Frempong lamented that students of St. Stephen’s Senior High School have been exposed to several environmental hazards due to the encroachment of the school’s land by illegal miners.
Cue in voice is Mr. Robinson Appiah Frempong……….3:33
Representing the Nifahene of Akyem Abuakwa Daasebre Twum Ampofo II was Osabarima Akyem Adu Busubusuhene of Asiakwa also lauded the group for the steps taken saying the chiefs will play their role to ensure the success of the initiative.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Kwabena Nyarko Abronoma
