President Mahama tasks Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings to provide decisive leadership in fight against galamsey

President John Dramani Mahama has tasked newly appointed Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, with providing strong and decisive leadership in the ongoing battle against illegal mining, commonly referred to as galamsey. The President emphasized that the destruction of Ghana's forests and water bodies due to illegal mining poses a significant threat to the nation's survival and requires persistent and determined action.

Making this announcement during Dr Agyeman-Rawlings' swearing-in ceremony, Mahama outlined his administration's expectations for the new Environment Minister.

The fight against illegal mining should extend beyond enforcement to address the broader environmental and public health impacts of the practice, Mahama asserted. He encouraged Dr Agyeman-Rawlings to leverage her medical background to approach environmental protection with an understanding of both ecological and human-health perspectives, stressing that "The environment is not separate from human health."

President Mahama noted that polluted rivers, contaminated soils, poor sanitation, unsafe air, and indiscriminate waste disposal ultimately affect citizens' health and strain Ghana's healthcare system. Consequently, he urged the Minister to ensure that environmental protection is treated as a crucial aspect of safeguarding public health and enhancing the quality of life for Ghanaians.

She must provide determined leadership to protect Ghana's natural resources and secure a healthier future for future generations, Mahama emphasized.

Mahama reiterated his administration's commitment to taking firm action against individuals and groups whose activities threaten the collective well-being of the country, stating that economic interests should never supersede the protection of Ghana's natural resources and the welfare of future generations. The fight against galamsey is now a top priority for the new Environment Minister as she assumes office and faces the challenge of coordinating government's environmental protection efforts with relevant agencies and institutions.