Minority demands removal of Lands Minister, deputies over galamsey crisis

The Minority on the Works and Housing Committee has called for the immediate removal of the Lands Minister and his deputies, accusing them of failing to protect Ghana’s water bodies and rivers from the devastating effects of illegal mining, known as “galamsey.”

Ranking Member on the Works and Housing Committee, Vincent Oppong Asamoah, expressed the belief that the removal of the sector ministers would lead to the desired outcomes.

This he explained is because firing is the worst a minister could suffer over underperformance.

“If you have a Lands Minster and two deputies in charge of our lands and forestry and they cannot protect our mineral body, the best you can do to them is to sack them and whoever comes, we give them what the presidency intends to see so far as that area is concerned,” he said.

Mr Asamoah also pointed out that even the hometown of Deputy Lands Minister, Mireku Duker, is not spared from the galamsey menace, indicating the widespread nature of the problem.

This follows Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) expressing serious concerns about illegal mining in the Pra River, which is significantly disrupting their operations leading to a drop in water production from 70 to 40 percent nationwide.

The water supply in the Central Region, including Cape Coast, Elmina, and surrounding areas, has been severely affected, leaving residents without water for days. These mining activities are compromising the Company’s ability to provide clean and accessible water, thereby threatening regional water security.

In response to the escalating crisis, Clifford Braimah, Managing Director of the Ghana Water Company, has proposed that the government entrust the military with the responsibility of safeguarding endangered water sources.

• Read also: Water bodies must be designated as security zones for better protection against galamsey – GWCL MD

Despite the growing calls for action, Mr Asamoah expressed skepticism about the possibility of such measures being implemented before the general elections.

Meanwhile, Water and Sanitation Minister Lydia Alhassan reassured the public that interventions are underway to mitigate the impact of illegal mining on water quality.

“The situation is getting worse by the day. We at the ministry have put measures in place to ensure that the situation minimises.”