By: Benjamin Nii Nai Anyetei
President John Dramani Mahama has charged the newly sworn-in Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, to provide firm and decisive leadership in the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
President Mahama said the continued destruction of Ghana’s forests and water bodies through illegal mining remains one of the most serious threats to the country’s survival and requires sustained and determined action.
He made the call at the swearing-in ceremony of Dr Agyeman-Rawlings on Saturday, where he outlined the expectations of his administration for the new Environment Minister.
According to the President, the fight against illegal mining must go beyond enforcement to address the wider environmental and public health consequences of the practice.
He urged Dr Agyeman-Rawlings to use her medical background to approach environmental protection from both an ecological and human-health perspective.
“Your medical training provides a particularly important perspective. The environment is not separate from human health.”
President Mahama noted that polluted rivers, contaminated soils, poor sanitation, unsafe air and indiscriminate waste disposal ultimately affect the health of citizens and place additional pressure on the country’s healthcare system.
He therefore tasked the Minister to ensure that environmental protection is treated as an important component of protecting public health and improving the quality of life of Ghanaians.
“Your task, therefore, Honorable Minister, is both environmental and human. You must provide determined leadership to protect Ghana’s natural resources and secure a healthier future for generations yet unborn.”
Illegal mining remains major threat
President Mahama reiterated his administration’s determination to take firm action against individuals and groups whose activities threaten the collective wellbeing of the country.
He said the economic interests of individuals must not be allowed to take precedence over the protection of Ghana’s natural resources and the welfare of future generations.
“The destruction of our forests and water bodies through illegal mining remains one of the gravest threats to our national survival,” he stressed.
The President’s charge comes amid continuing concerns over the impact of illegal mining on Ghana’s water bodies, forest reserves, farmlands and communities.
The activities have also raised concerns about the long-term consequences of environmental degradation, including the cost of restoring damaged ecosystems and ensuring access to safe and sustainable water resources.
Zanetor takes charge of environmental portfolio
Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings is expected to provide leadership in coordinating government’s environmental protection efforts while working with relevant agencies and institutions to address the challenges confronting the sector.
Her responsibilities will include helping to strengthen measures aimed at protecting Ghana’s forests and water bodies, improving environmental management and ensuring that development activities do not compromise the country’s ecological sustainability.
President Mahama said the government remains committed to protecting Ghana’s natural resources and creating an environment capable of supporting the wellbeing of both the current population and generations to come.
The President’s directive places the fight against galamsey prominently among the key responsibilities awaiting the new Environment Minister as she assumes office.
