As part of measures to deal with illegal mining, Prof. Nana Ama Browne Klutse, Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), has urged regional and local offices to step up surveillance activities in their respective domains.
She made the call when she visited Beposo in the Western Region.
Prof. Klutse indicated that there was the need for them to intensify field monitoring to address the pollution of water bodies caused by galamsey activities.
She expressed worry over the negative impact of galamsey on water bodies, including the Pra River.
“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.”
“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.”
She urged people and traditional leaders to play an active part in conserving water resources by reporting and halting illicit mining activity.
“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.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
