Galamsey: Dr Zanetor calls for accountability over destruction of natural resources

The Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, has called for collective responsibility and accountability in protecting Ghana’s natural resources against environmental destruction caused by illegal mining.

She said safeguarding the environment should not be left solely to government and regulatory institutions, stressing that all citizens had a role to play in preserving resources essential for human survival.

Dr Agyeman-Rawlings made the call following a field visit to illegal mining sites in Osino, facilitated by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA).

In a statement the minister posted on social media after the visit, she expressed concern about the devastating effects of environmental degradation, warning that the destruction of water bodies and farmlands could have lasting consequences for public health, food security and livelihoods.

“Protecting our environment is not simply a responsibility of government or regulatory institutions. It is a collective duty that requires difficult decisions, accountability, and a fundamental change in our attitudes towards the resources with which we have been entrusted,” she said.

The minister cautioned that Ghana’s natural resources were finite, with some taking generations to recover from destruction, while others might never be restored.

She questioned the justification for pursuing short-term economic gains at the expense of the environment, noting that polluted rivers and unproductive farmlands could threaten the wellbeing of future generations.

“What is the value of gold if our rivers are poisoned, our farmlands are rendered unproductive, and our children inherit an environment that can no longer sustain them?” she asked.

Dr Agyeman-Rawlings reiterated the need to prioritise environmental sustainability, warning that no amount of mineral wealth could replace the resources that sustain human life.