New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer aspirant Dr. Bryan Acheampong has called for an immediate 90-day suspension of all mining activities across Ghan
New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer aspirant Dr. Bryan Acheampong has called for an immediate 90-day suspension of all mining activities across Ghana to help restore the nation’s heavily polluted rivers and streams.
Speaking at his campaign office on Wednesday, October 15, Dr. Acheampong emphasized that the proposed pause was not a declaration of a state of emergency but rather a necessary national intervention to safeguard the environment and protect Ghana’s food and water security.
“Ninety days — I’m not even talking about a state of emergency. Just 90 days during the rainy season to clear our water bodies and reflect on how to responsibly resume mining,” he said.
He urged a collective agreement to halt mining operations nationwide during the period, stressing the need for the government, industry stakeholders, and local communities to use the time to clean up water sources, reassess current practices, and develop a sustainable framework for responsible mining.
Dr. Acheampong warned that Ghana faces grave long-term risks to its food and water systems if decisive action is not taken to combat the environmental destruction caused by illegal and unregulated mining.
“If our food systems are being poisoned and we continue to look away because of the money, soon there will be no one left to fix the problem,” he cautioned.
Illegal mining, known locally as galamsey, has for years degraded Ghana’s environment, polluting major rivers such as the Pra and Ankobra. The situation has forced the government to spend millions of cedis on water treatment and has severely affected agricultural productivity in mining-affected areas.
Dr. Acheampong’s call adds to the growing national debate on finding a sustainable balance between economic gains from mining and the urgent need to protect the environment.