Galamsey fight not won until rivers are restored – Julius Kwame Anthony

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has admitted that the government has more work to do in the fight against illegal mining, despite regaining control of nine forest reserves previously occupied by illegal miners.

The party’s Deputy National Communications Director, Julius Kwame Anthony, says the fight cannot be considered successful until polluted rivers are restored to their natural state.

Speaking on the issue of illegal mining on the AM Club, he acknowledged the progress made under the government’s anti-galamsey efforts but stressed that the results were not yet sufficient.

“We have done a lot, but we have not done enough,” he said.

Mr Anthony explained that the Lands Minister had inherited a difficult situation, with armed groups allegedly protecting illegal miners and preventing security agencies and forest guards from accessing some forest reserves.

He said authorities had since regained control of the affected reserves, allowing law enforcement agencies to prevent illegal miners from returning to the protected areas.

However, Mr Anthony acknowledged that restoring rivers damaged by illegal mining remained a major challenge.

“Have we been able to fully restore those river bodies to their natural state? No. Which is why I said that we have done a lot, but not enough,” he stated.

He warned that the pollution of water bodies posed a threat to public health, regardless of political affiliation, as communities depend on these rivers for their water needs.

“If the water is going to poison us, it won’t distinguish between you, journalist, or show host, me, you know, an NDC person, or an NPP person. If it will kill us, it will kill all of us the same way,” he said.

Julius maintained that the ultimate measure of success in the fight against galamsey would be the full restoration of the country’s rivers to a condition where they could be safely used by the public.