Member of Parliament for Akyem Oda, Alexander Akwasi Aquah, has raised concerns over the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) evolving strategies to tackle the devastating impact of illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, on the country’s water bodies and forest reserves.
The legislator’s comments come in the wake of the EPA’s recent environmental interventions, including the use of innovative water treatment technologies and traditional community-based approaches aimed at protecting natural resources.
The MP appears skeptical about some of the measures being adopted by the environmental regulator.
“After Ghana’s EPA officials failed to garner support for the dechemicalisation of our water bodies so expensively, now they want our chiefs to invoke some spirits to control entry into our water bodies and forest areas. Ghana for you!!!!” he wrote on Facebook.
Despite his reservations, Mr. Aquah acknowledged the gravity of the environmental crisis facing the country and expressed support for exploring every possible solution to curb illegal mining activities.
“Anyway, there is no harm in trying all methods to keep our environment safe and clamp down on galamsey activities, which have become the mainstay of the economy,” he added.
The MP’s remarks stem from recent efforts by the EPA to restore heavily polluted rivers affected by illegal mining operations.
One of the agency’s most publicised interventions involved the piloting of Ionic Nano Copper liquid technology on the Birim River, one of the water bodies hardest hit by galamsey activities.
The technology was introduced as part of an emergency response to address severe water contamination caused by years of illegal mining along the river basin.
The treatment works by applying an organically formulated nano-liquid to the water surface, triggering a process that causes suspended mud, silt, and heavy metals such as mercury, arsenic, and manganese to coagulate and settle on the riverbed.
According to environmental officials, the treatment significantly improves water clarity and reduces visible pollution, offering temporary relief to communities that depend on the river.
However, the initiative has generated mixed reactions among environmental experts and stakeholders.
While the technology effectively clears muddy water, some scientists and public health experts have questioned its long-term effectiveness.
Critics argue that although the treatment causes contaminants to settle, the heavy metals remain within the river ecosystem rather than being permanently removed.
They warn that these pollutants could continue to pose environmental and health risks if disturbed in the future.
Environmental specialists have also cautioned that water treated through the nano-technology process should not be considered safe for direct human consumption without further purification.
The concerns have fuelled public debate over whether the initiative represents a lasting solution or merely a temporary cosmetic improvement.
Ecologists and environmental advocates maintain that any effort to restore polluted rivers will have limited impact unless the source of contamination is addressed.
They describe the cleanup of a continuously polluted river as akin to “filling a leaking bucket,” arguing that illegal mining operations upstream must be halted to achieve sustainable restoration.
The ongoing challenge has prompted authorities to explore a range of interventions, including enhanced law enforcement, community engagement, technological innovations, and traditional leadership involvement.
Recent reports indicate that the EPA has been engaging traditional authorities in some mining-prone communities to strengthen local monitoring and enforcement mechanisms aimed at protecting water bodies and forest reserves from encroachment by illegal miners.
Galamsey Remains a National Concern
Illegal mining continues to rank among Ghana’s most pressing environmental challenges, with major rivers across the country suffering from increased turbidity, chemical contamination, and the destruction of aquatic ecosystems.
The environmental consequences have also affected the operations of water treatment plants, forcing utility providers to spend heavily on water purification while some communities face periodic shortages of potable water.
As government agencies intensify efforts to reverse the damage, opinions remain divided on the most effective strategy for reclaiming polluted water bodies.
For MP Alexander Akwasi Aquah, the priority remains safeguarding the country’s natural resources, even if it means exploring unconventional approaches.
His comments have reignited public discussion about the effectiveness of current anti-galamsey interventions and the need for a comprehensive, sustainable solution to a problem that continues to threaten Ghana’s environment, public health, and economic future.
By 1960news.com
