Eastern Regional Minister, Hon. Seth Acheampong, has advised people who indulge in illegal mining activities popularly known as galamsey to refrain from it, and adopt legal means to protect our land and water bodies.
Speaking on Movement In The Morning Show with Kwaku Dawuro, he said that ”government is not against small scale mining in Ghana but against illegal mining popularly known as galamsey. If you want to mine, it must be done rightfully and lawfully, to encourage those who wants to venture into mining. The water bodies in the Eastern Region were badly affected to the extent that it was even affecting the galamsey machines itself . That is why government decided to halt the mining process for a while. if you use illegal means to mine, government will come for you. Some Ghanaians are too stubborn, they don’t want to listen. If you go against the law, you will be dealt with’’, he said.
In March 2022, the Ghana Water Company Limited in the Eastern Region reported that activities of illegal mining continue to hinder water operations and as a result, water treatment plants at Osino, Bunso, and Kyebi were shut down.
He added that government is set to protect our lands and water bodies .