Calling for the Lands Minister and his deputies to be removed immediately, the Minority on the Works and Housing Committee claims they have not done enough to save Ghana’s rivers and waterways from the destructive impacts of illegal mining, or “galamsey.” Vincent Oppong Asamoah, ranking member of the Works and Housing Committee, stated that he thought the sector ministers’ dismissal will result in the intended results.He clarified that this was because a minister’s termination is the worst punishment for poor performance.
Mr. Asamoah further highlighted how prevalent the issue is by pointing out that the galamsey threat even affects Mireku Duker, the deputy minister of land, in his village. This comes after the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) voiced grave worries regarding illicit mining in the Pra River, which is severely interfering with their business operations and causing the country’s water output to decline from 70% to 40%.Residents of the Central Region, which includes Cape Coast, Elmina, and the neighboring villages, have been without water for days due to significant disruptions to the water supply. The Company’s capacity to supply clean, readily available water is being jeopardized by these mining operations, endangering the water security of the area.
Clifford Braimah, Managing Director of the Ghana Water Company, has suggested that the government assign the military the task of protecting threatened water sources in response to the growing situation.Even if there are more and more people calling for action, Mr. Asamoah voiced doubt that such steps could be taken in time for the general elections. In the meantime, the public was reassured by Water and Sanitation Minister Lydia Alhassan that steps are being taken to lessen the negative effects of illicit mining on water quality.
SOURCE https://dew360.net
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