Prof. Nana Ama Browne Klutse, Acting CEO of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), has directed regional and area offices to intensify monitoring efforts in their respective jurisdictions as part of ongoing efforts to combat illegal mining (galamsey).
During a visit to Beposo in the Western Region, Prof. Klutse emphasized the importance of proactive field monitoring to address the pollution of water bodies caused by galamsey activities.
“I’m on the field as the CEO, monitoring galamsey issues, monitoring the situation of the water pollution. All my staff in all the regional offices, and area offices, must get out there on this same mission to make sure that people are complying with the environmental rules.”
Expressing concern over the deteriorating state of water bodies, including the Pra River, she highlighted the visible impact of illegal mining activities.
“We are currently standing below the bridge of Beposo and you can see that the Pra River is contaminated. And this is as a result of illegal mining people are doing inside the water right from the Eastern regional part of River Pra, then the polluted water gets to this side.”
Prof. Klutse urged community members and traditional authorities to take an active role in protecting water resources by reporting and preventing illegal mining activities.
“EPA is pleading with the community members, especially areas where illegal mining in our water bodies is happening to let EPA know. They have the capacity to prevent people from mining illegally in their water bodies.
“We’re also pleading with chiefs and elders that they should also stamp on their authority so that the rivers community members use for their domestic purposes will not be destroyed or polluted the way we’re seeing it.”
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