The Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, has expressed shock at the extensive environmental destruction caused by illegal mining activities at Osino in the Eastern Region, describing the situation as unacceptable and calling for urgent intervention.
She said the scale of land degradation, coupled with concerns about water pollution and continued illegal mining in areas earmarked for reclamation, required stronger enforcement of environmental laws and coordinated action by the relevant state institutions.
Speaking to the media during a visit to the affected area, Dr Agyeman-Rawlings called for discussions with the National Security apparatus to address the situation and ensure that those responsible for the destruction are held accountable.
“This is unacceptable. We need to speak to National Security,” she said.
The minister expressed concern that individuals engaged in activities that allegedly destroy the environment and pollute water bodies continued to operate without facing the consequences of their actions.
“It’s really upsetting. We’re in a country where someone stealssa goat and the person ends up in jail. And you have people causing this level of devastation, poisoning our waters, destroying the environment. And they’re just constantly getting away,” she said.
She stressed the need for a more decisive approach to enforcing existing laws, arguing that efforts to combat illegal mining must go beyond expressions of concern and translate into effective action against offenders.
“We need to really clamp down on the enforcement side of things,” she added.
Dr Agyeman-Rawlings also emphasised the need for Ghanaian miners to adhere to the same environmental standards expected of foreign mining companies operating in the country.
She made the point after visiting a mining site where significant resources are being invested in land reclamation, environmental remediation and reforestation.
According to her, Ghana must apply consistent standards to all mining operators, regardless of their nationality, and ensure that environmental protection obligations are not treated differently depending on who is involved.
“If, as a country, we expect this of foreigners when they come and mine in our country, we must put ourselves to the same standard,” she said.
The minister maintained that no individual or group should consider itself exempt from the law or entitled to destroy the environment without accountability.
“No one is above the law, and certainly no one should think that it is their right to destroy the environment like this and get away with it,” she stated.
Her comments highlight the importance of strengthening compliance with environmental regulations and ensuring that mining activities are conducted in accordance with the country’s laws.
Dr Agyeman-Rawlings indicated that her ministry would engage the relevant institutions, including the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), to determine the appropriate response to the illegal mining activities.
She said the discussions would also involve other relevant stakeholders, with the possibility of bringing in National Security to support efforts to address the situation.
The proposed engagements are expected to focus on enforcement and measures to prevent further environmental destruction in the affected area.
However, the minister’s remarks underscore the need for coordinated action among the institutions responsible for environmental protection, mining regulation and law enforcement.
The minister expressed particular concern that illegal mining is continuing in an area identified for reclamation, raising questions about the effectiveness of measures intended to restore degraded lands.
She said the continued presence of illegal miners in the area threatens efforts to rehabilitate the environment and undermined attempts to reverse the damage caused by previous mining activities.
“This clearly is an area that is supposed to be one of the areas we are supposed to be reclaiming, but people are still here encroaching and still engaging in illegal mining. So this has to be addressed urgently,” she said.
Land reclamation involves restoring areas degraded by mining and other activities to improve their environmental condition.
Depending on the extent of the damage, the process may include reshaping land, restoring vegetation, rehabilitating soil and addressing pollution.
Continued illegal mining in areas earmarked for such interventions could complicate restoration efforts and increase the resources required to rehabilitate the affected land.
The situation at Osino has brought renewed attention to the challenges confronting efforts to tackle illegal mining, particularly the need to prevent further degradation while restoring areas already affected.
Dr Agyeman-Rawlings’ call for National Security involvement signals the need for a coordinated response that combines enforcement with environmental rehabilitation.
Her position is that those responsible for illegal mining should be held accountable and that ongoing reclamation efforts must be protected from further encroachment.
The minister has therefore called for urgent action by the relevant authorities to address the activities at Osino, enforce environmental laws and prevent further damage to the land and water resources.
The outcome of the planned engagements with the EPA and other relevant institutions is expected to be important in determining the next steps towards tackling the illegal mining activities and protecting the area earmarked for reclamation.
By 1960news.com
