Galamsey: Akufo-Addo using wrong approach — US Mining Engineer

A US-based Ghanaian mining engineer, Dr Solomon Owusu has slammed President Akufo-Addo for using the wrong approach in the fight against illegal mining, which is currently the leading cause of water pollution and land degradation in the country.

Dr Owusu's statement comes after the Ghana Water Company Ltd (GWCL) issued a letter for stakeholder engagement to find pragmatic solutions to address the illegal mining problem.

According to him, the incumbent government continue to use the wrong approaches in addressing the illegal mining (galamsey) menace.

He added that the high level of unmanaged hazardous chemicals such as mercury and cyanide have been released into the waterbodies and forests, through the activities of illegal mining, mostly operated by the Chinese nationals.

"I think it’s time to find a lasting solution to our water pollution, land degradation and the alarming rate of diseases through the activities of illegal mining, especially those mining directly from our waterbodies", he said.

He further detailed that the stakeholder engagement organized by the Ghana Water Company is a complete waste of time, money and resources, describing how fruitless and senseless the engagement is.

Dr. Owusu advised President Akufo Addo to engage professionals with the requisite knowledge, experience and capabilities to help solve the galamsey problems without any political interference.

"If I may ask, how many stakeholder engagements has your government organized on water pollution and illegal mining since 2017 and how many of them have produced any significant positive results? he quizzed Akufo Addo.

He admonished the President to act diligently now since his government has less than seven (7) months to leave office.