Deputy Minister-designate for Lands and Natural Resources, Sulemana Yusif, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to curbing illegal mining, which continues to threaten the nation’s water bodies.
Addressing the impact of ‘galamsey’ on Ghana’s rivers and lakes, Yusif stressed that tackling the issue requires a collective national effort.
His remarks highlight the alarming levels of turbidity in major water bodies, with readings between 5,000 and 12,000 Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU)—far exceeding the acceptable limit of 500 NTU.
During his vetting before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on February 26, Yusif stated, “Nobody should sit in, let’s say, Pusiga or Kpandai and say that is not my business. You never know when a fish that is harvested from, let’s say, the Central Region will be sold to you in Paga or any part of the country.
“And so, it’s a national issue, and I think that I will help my minister [Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah], like he has started doing, to flush out all those who are on our water bodies.”
The Mahama administration has intensified its crackdown on illegal mining, ordering the immediate arrest and prosecution of those involved.
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