Declare Some Lands No Go Areas For Mining– EPA Advises
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The Deputy Director of Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, Mr Ransford Sekyi has revealed that there is the need to have a reserved land which would be a no go area for mining.
Speaking at the third edition of Multi– stakeholder dialogue (MSD) in the eastern region, Mr Ransford Sekyi who is so passionate about the safety of the environment has advised the government of Ghana to set aside reserves which would not be mined.
Arguing his point, he asked that if it’ s possible to make Bui Dam as a no go area for mining then it should also be possible to have a land which will be a no go area for mining. He also used Akosombo dam as a benchmark and the need to make some areas no go areas for mining in the country.
In confidence, Mr Ransford Sekyi asked that if the forefathers had mined every area in the country the current generation would not have come to meet. ” So if the current generation mines everywhere, where would the generation yet unborn mine? ” – He asked.
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He used the opportunity to advise the Small– Scale miners to go according to the proper mining regulations that would not pollute the water bodies.
” This country is endowed with so many minerals not only Gold. We have other minerals also available so the question is, are we going to mine everywhere? For example, do we say that if we find which we’ ve found before, gold around Bui dam, are we going to mine? No! We had to decline some prospecting around Bui dam. If we find gold around the Akosombo dam, are we going to mine? No! So it is important to have discussions where we may have to reserve and say that here there will be no mining. We cannot mine in the rivers and the rivers must be no go areas. If our forefathers did this to us would we have gotten a place now? ” – Mr Ransford Sekyi quizzes.
However, he called on H. E. the president of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo– Addo, chiefs, media to deliberate on the need to make a reserve.
” I think that there are laws that are in place to take care of it. It’ s only that we all have to cooperate with the president, with the chief, media, everybody needs to cooperate. All of us have a role to play because it’ s very disheartening if you see the extent of devastation. ” – He added.
He concluded that it’ s incumbent on the current generation to leave a good environment for the next generation.
The president of Ghana in attempts to halt illegal mining and protect the water bodies has directed the burning of excavators which has raised mixed reactions.
