The Ashanti Regional Director of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), Dr. Jackson Adiyiah Nyantakyi, has expressed the need for concerted collaboration among all stakeholders to combat illegal mining, commonly referred to as galamsey.
He stated that the fight against this issue has become complex and requires intentional efforts from both authorities and local residents.
“Environmental protection is a collective responsibility, not solely the duty of the EPA. We all need to support these efforts,” he said.
Speaking on the Orange Sunrise, Dr. Nyantakyi commended President Mahama for taking decisive action by directing Regional Ministers to form task forces aimed at tackling illegal mining.
According to the Ghana Forestry Commission, an estimated 4,726 hectares of land—an area larger than European cities like Athens and Brussels—have been devastated across seven of the country’s 16 regions, affecting 34 of its 288 forest reserves.
This alarming destruction has raised significant concerns and must be addressed.
Dr. Nyantakyi noted that the fight against illegal mining now requires not only public awareness but also modern strategies.
He stated that the EPA is supporting Dr. Frank Amoakohene’s task force in the region by providing technical assistance.
“Environmental problems are solved using best available technologies apart from the physical act. EPA is on that committee and then go there, you know the concession is very big, you cannot just walk through the entire concession, so at times we fly drones and through that we are able to locate where the excavators are and they’re able to go there and confiscate them,” he indicated.
