Illegal Mining Continues Despite Government Efforts: Turbidity of River Pra Worsens in April 2023

Illegal mining continues to be a thorn in the flesh of Ghana despite government’s repeated attempts to curb the menace. Recently, the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GTV) reported that the turbidity of the River Pra has worsened considerably over the past seven months. The news outlet’s report implies that despite the deployment of river wardens, and the efforts of naval personnel, illegal mining still persists, and it is affecting water bodies in the country.

In December 2022, the government deployed 87 river wardens to protect the country’s river bodies as part of the sustained efforts at fighting illegal mining, also known as galamsey. Additionally, a platoon of Naval personnel was sent on a mission to halt galamsey permanently on various water bodies where galamsey was being operated. However, the recent GTV report on the worsening turbidity of the River Pra suggests that these efforts have been insufficient.

The publication of images of turbid water in the River Pra indicates that illegal mining in the country is still thriving. This revelation comes amid a report compiled by former Environment Minister, Prof Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, on galamsey activities in the country. The leaked report, submitted to the President in 2021, implicates senior government officials in active involvement in illegal mining.

In his report, Prof Frimpong-Boateng named officials accused of involvement in galamsey, stating that the ‘galamsey’ menace goes as high as the government seat, Jubilee House. The report by the former minister is yet to receive an official response from the government.

In a nutshell, the worsening turbidity of the River Pra, despite the government’s deployment of river wardens and naval personnel, is an indication that illegal mining continues to thrive in the country. This fact is supported by the Frimpong-Boateng report, which implicates senior government officials in illegal mining activities. If the government is to make any meaningful impact in the fight against illegal mining, it must take more effective measures to stop the menace.