A total of 300 mining licences have been revoked by the government as part of sweeping reforms aimed at curbing illegal mining and protecting water bodies, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Emmanuel Kofi-Armah Buah, has disclosed.
The revocation, he said, followed a nationwide audit of small-scale mining permits, which uncovered widespread irregularities and non-compliance with environmental and operational standards.
Mr Buah, who announced this at a high-level meeting in Accra on Wednesday with the management of the Ghana Water Limited (GWL), said the action formed part of government’s broader agenda to restore the country’s degraded forest reserves and water bodies affected by illegal mining activities.
He noted that many of the country’s rivers and streams, which serve as raw water sources for treatment plants, had become heavily polluted and difficult to treat, forcing intermittent shutdowns of water facilities during the rainy season.
“We are determined to turn these brown waters blue again,” he said, stressing that the government would not relent in its fight to protect the environment and ensure sustainable water production.
The Minister explained that Ghana’s water resources were closely tied to the country’s forest reserves, from which about 80 per cent of surface water originates; however, 44 per cent of these pristine forests, covering about 5,500 hectares equivalent to 7,500 football fields, have been destroyed, mostly through illegal mining and logging.
He said the Ministry had adopted a five-pillar strategy to address the crisis, beginning with public education and stakeholder engagement in riverine communities, enforcement of environmental laws, afforestation programmes, mining sector reforms, and the deployment of technology for monitoring and control.
Under the new framework, he said, mining leases would no longer be issued solely from Accra but would require recommendations from district mining committees familiar with local conditions.
This, he explained, would empower communities and traditional authorities while ensuring that licences were granted responsibly and transparently.
Mr Buah also announced the introduction of the “Tree for Life Afforestation Initiative” and the recruitment of “Blue Water Guards,” a dedicated youth task force to safeguard riverbanks, monitor illegal mining activities, and assist in restoration efforts.
He said these interventions were complemented by the use of tracking devices and geofencing technology to monitor excavators and other mining equipment, ensuring they remain within authorised concessions.
He emphasised that while gold mining remained central to Ghana’s economy, it must be pursued responsibly and sustainably.
The Managing Director of GWL, Mr Adam Mutawakilu, commended the Minister and his team for their sustained efforts, noting that some improvement had already been recorded in water quality in certain treatment zones.
“Some of our river bodies are getting better. At Kwanyarko, for instance, production is back to full capacity,” he said.
However, Mr Mutawakilu raised concerns about heavy siltation at some of the company’s intake points, which makes water treatment difficult and poses a risk of drying up during the dry season.
He expressed optimism that with continued collaboration and consistent enforcement, the country’s major rivers could be restored to their natural state, ensuring sustainable water supply for all communities.
BY CECILIA YADA LAGBA
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