It is wrong to mine in waterbodies – Gideon Boako

Gideon Boako, the spokesperson for Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has strongly condemned individuals engaged in illegal mining activities, particularly those who operate in water bodies.

He characterised such actions as “inherently evil”, emphasizing the devastating impact that these practices have on Ghana’s environment and water resources.

Dr Boako’s remarks come amid heightened concerns over the illegal mining crisis, commonly referred to as galamsey, which has been a significant topic of discussion in recent years.

In an interview with Peace FM on Monday, October 7, Dr Boako stressed the dire consequences of mining in water bodies, noting that it not only leads to environmental degradation but also poses serious risks to public health.

He pointed out that the pollution of water resources threatens the livelihood of communities that depend on clean water for drinking, agriculture, and other essential activities.

Dr Boako also called for collective action to combat the galamsey menace, urging both government officials and citizens to take a stand against illegal mining activities.

He stressed the need for stricter enforcement of existing laws to deter those who continue to exploit the nation’s natural resources without regard for the environment.

“Dr Bawumia’s position on illegal mining and mining everywhere and using any means and any method to mine and in the end causing destruction to the environment and those with licenses to mine and the kind of mining they are engaged in this, is not good and they are destroying the land. The most painful part is those mining on our water bodies.”

“The waterbodies that we all use for our cooking and drinking purposes is not good at all. It is evil to mine in waterbodies. Anything that will destroy human lives is evil and must not be countenanced,” he stated.