The National Muslim Conference of Ghana (NMCG) has backed calls for the government to declare a state of emergency and deploy security forces to all affected areas to halt legal mining activities immediately.
Additionally, the group wants the government to implement stringent regulations and monitoring systems to ensure that mining companies adhere to environmental standards.
A statement issued by the General Secretary of the Conference, Inusah Mohammed Baba, advocated the introduction of the alterative livelihood programmes to provide sustainable income opportunities for communities affected by the ban on illegal mining.
The statement comes a day after the government directed regional ministers and regional security councils to intensify enforcement actions on illegal mining in their respective regions.
The directive follows calls from religious and traditional leaders, associations and civil society organisations for prompt action on illegal mining as the destruction of river bodies and forest covers continue with negative effects on the citizenry.
Other demands made by the NMCG include investment in the rehabilitation and reclamation of degraded lands, including reforestation projects and the restoration of abandoned mining sites.
The statement asked the government to intensify public education and awareness campaigns to educate citizens about the long-term effects of illegal mining on water resources, health, and the environment.
“Put a freeze on the issuance and renewal of small-scale mining licenses, and review existing ones to ensure they are responsible and of economic benefit to the nation,” it said.
The statement said the conference was concerned about the alarming rate at which illegal/ irresponsible mining activities were destroying water bodies, forests, and agricultural lands.
“The pollution of rivers and streams with harmful chemicals like mercury and cyanide, as well as the excessive sedimentation, has made it increasingly difficult for the Ghana Water Company to treat and supply clean water to millions of Ghanaians.
“The NMCG believes that the time has come for the nation to take a step back and engage in a comprehensive discussion on the way forward towards responsible mining practices that prioritise environmental protection and sustainable development,” it said.
