EPA orders immediate halt to illegal mining in water bodies

 EPA orders immediate halt to illegal mining in water bodies.

The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has issued a strong directive calling for the immediate cessation of all illegal mining activities in and around Ghana’s water bodies.

This urgent call comes in response to the alarming increase in illegal mining (commonly known as galamsey), which poses significant threats to the country’s environment, public health, and long-term sustainability.

In a press statement dated 28th January 2025, the EPA expressed deep concern over the devastation caused by mining operations near water sources.

According to recent reports and inspections, the unchecked destruction of natural ecosystems has escalated, endangering water resources, wildlife, and human lives.

Citing Section 2 and 3b(ii) of the Environmental Protection Act, 2025 (Act 1124), the EPA directed all individuals and entities engaged in illegal mining—both small-scale and large-scale—to immediately cease operations.

To ensure strict enforcement, the EPA is collaborating with the Ministry of Environment, Science, and Technology (MEST), the Minerals Commission, the Water Resources Commission, and other security agencies to carry out the following measures:

Seizing equipment used in illegal mining operations in accordance with the law.

Increasing surveillance and conducting regular inspections of mining sites.

Prosecuting individuals and organizations found violating environmental regulations.

The statement, signed by Professor Nana Ama Browne Klutse, Acting Chief Executive Officer, reaffirmed the EPA’s dedication to safeguarding Ghana’s natural resources.

Attached below is the press release.