The Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, Dr. Zenator Agyeman-Rawlings, has called for tougher measures against illegal mining, including the establishment of environmental fast-track courts, warning that the uncontrolled use of toxic chemicals poses a serious threat to public health and Ghana’s future.
She described the use of hazardous substances such as mercury and cyanide in unregulated mining operations as “a form of chemical warfare,” arguing that the practice endangers entire communities and threatens the country’s water security and food production.
Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings made the remarks during a visit to the Eastern Regional Minister, Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, on Tuesday evening, October 20, 2026, as part of a working visit to mining districts in the Eastern Region.
“If you are to break it down to what it is, this is a form of chemical warfare, if you ask me, because the use of hazardous chemicals like cyanide and mercury outside of the confines of a properly regulated environment puts everyone at risk,” she said.
Minister pushes for faster prosecution of environmental offenders
Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings argued that Ghana’s response to illegal mining must go beyond environmental campaigns and include stronger law enforcement and swift prosecution of offenders.
She called for the establishment of specialised environmental fast-track courts to ensure that cases involving environmental destruction are handled promptly, stressing that violations of environmental laws must attract appropriate consequences.
According to her, illegal mining should not be reduced to partisan political debate, particularly when the practice threatens the health and livelihoods of citizens.
The minister said the government was providing alternative pathways for small-scale miners to operate legally and sustainably, including training in safer mining practices.
She warned that those who continued to engage in illegal mining despite the availability of such alternatives were deliberately disregarding the country’s collective interests.
“If we are providing alternatives and putting money into training people on how to engage in safe small-scale mining, and people are still opting to do this, for me, it’s a blatant disregard of everything we hold dear as a country,” she said.
Warns of risks to mothers, children and future generations
The minister said the consequences of illegal mining extend beyond polluted rivers, degraded farmlands and damaged forest reserves, warning that chemical contamination could have serious implications for human health.
She raised concerns about the potential effects of environmental pollution on vulnerable groups, including pregnant women, infants and children, citing possible risks to maternal and infant health.
Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings maintained that illegal mining must be recognised as a public health crisis, rather than treated solely as an environmental problem.
“This is not just an issue around the environment. This is a health crisis as well,” she stressed.
She further warned that the destruction of arable land and contamination of water bodies could undermine Ghana’s ability to produce sufficient food and provide safe drinking water to its population.
Without decisive action, she cautioned, the effects could extend to generations yet unborn.
Mining close to major road raises security concerns
The minister also expressed concern over the apparent boldness of illegal miners operating less than 200 metres from a major road in the Eastern Region.
She described the situation as disturbing and called on the Eastern Regional Security Council (REGSEC) to investigate the circumstances allowing such activities to continue despite ongoing efforts to combat illegal mining.
“What we saw was disturbing, extremely disturbing, and we really need to do a little bit more,” she said.
Her concerns have renewed calls for stronger coordination among security agencies and other state institutions to improve enforcement and prevent illegal miners from operating openly.
More than 30 forest reserves reportedly affected
Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings also referred to remarks by the President at the Mining in Motion event, where more than 30 forest reserves were reportedly identified as having been encroached upon by illegal miners, with nine described as red zones that had been cleared.
She said the fight against illegal mining remained ongoing but stressed that authorities needed to respond more decisively when offenders continued to operate despite existing interventions.
The minister reaffirmed the government’s responsibility to protect Ghana’s natural resources, safeguard public health and uphold the dignity and welfare of citizens.
She called for stronger collaboration among relevant institutions to tackle illegal mining and support the restoration of degraded lands.
Eastern Regional Minister backs stronger collaboration
The Eastern Regional Minister, Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, welcomed the proposed strategy to address illegal mining, expressing hope that closer cooperation among the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, the Eastern Regional Coordinating Council and security agencies would strengthen enforcement.
She said coordinated action among the institutions would be important in accelerating the restoration of degraded lands and addressing the persistent threat posed by illegal mining in the region.
The renewed push for tougher enforcement, environmental fast-track courts and inter-agency collaboration signals an intensified effort to confront illegal mining and its wider consequences for Ghana’s environment, public health and economic future.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
