Presidential contender for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Bryan Acheampong, has proposed an urgent, countrywide halt to all mining operations for a period of 90 days, aimed at rehabilitating Ghana’s increasingly contaminated rivers and streams.
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, October 15, Dr. Acheampong emphasized the need for Ghana to take courageous and resolute steps to safeguard its environmental assets—even if it means incurring economic setbacks.
“Everybody should stop mining in this country. Regardless of the financial consequences, we have to agree that for the next 90 days during the rainy season—we should stop mining,” he declared.
He made it clear that his suggestion was not a plea for a state of emergency, but rather a collective national decision to give nature a chance to recover.
“Let’s clear our water bodies and then engage on how we go back to mining. I am not talking about a state of emergency, but mining, regardless of where, should stop now,” he explained.
Dr. Acheampong compared the current environmental crisis to trying to fix a moving train, underscoring the necessity of a full stop before any real progress can be achieved.
“We cannot repair the tyre or the truck of a moving train. As long as it is speeding, we need to agree to stop,” he added.
His remarks come at a time when public anxiety is mounting over the destructive impact of illegal mining commonly referred to as galamsey—on Ghana’s ecosystems, including its rivers, forests, and rural livelihoods.
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