In a decisive move to combat the environmental damage caused by illegal mining, Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah last week convened a high-level intersectoral meeting aimed at reclaiming Ghana’s heavily polluted rivers.
The discussions focused on immediate strategies to dredge rivers choked with silt and sediment and to explore the restoration of waterways that have been diverted or damaged by illegal mining—commonly known as galamsey.
Dr. Boamah acknowledged the active involvement and support of key institutions such as DIHOC-DENZEL, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the Forestry Commission, the Water Resources Commission, and the Engineers Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces. He praised their technical input and commitment to addressing the crisis.
He noted that the collaboration signals a renewed national effort to tackle the environmental degradation affecting critical water bodies, many of which serve as vital sources of drinking water and irrigation for local communities.
“This intervention, in alignment with a 24-hour economy, will not only restore our rivers but also create jobs through land reclamation, irrigation development, and the promotion of freshwater transport, among others,” Dr. Boamah said.
The river restoration campaign is part of a wider government initiative to protect the environment while generating sustainable livelihoods, especially for communities hardest hit by the consequences of illegal mining. The government aims to pair environmental rehabilitation with job creation to drive long-term economic growth and resilience.
