Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, George Mireku Duker, has assured Ghanaians that the country’s heavily polluted water bodies will be restored to their natural, clean state if the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is retained in power.
According to him the NPP government would need just three months to rehabilitate the water bodies, which have been severely affected by illegal mining, commonly known as “galamsey.”
“We don’t solve a problem while standing in it. We are barely a month and a half away from elections, so there is a lot of propaganda going around. But, God willing, if small-scale miners support us and we retain power on December 7, within three months, the next NPP government will ensure that our water bodies are clean,” he said.
Duker’s remarks comes on the back of increasing public pressure from Ghanaians, including labor unions and civil society groups, calling on the government to impose an urgent ban on mining activities as many water bodies have been devastated by illegal mining operations.
The Deputy Minister made the comments during a meeting with small-scale miners in the Prestea Huni Valley enclave.
He reassured miners that the government would not impose an outright ban on their activities, stressing the importance of responsible mining.
Duker pledged his unwavering support for small-scale miners, urging them not to fear for their livelihoods under future NPP governance.
Source:onuaonline.com