The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has rejected a proposal by former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo for a temporary halt on all mining activities in Ghana, despite her concerns about environmental degradation and the pollution of water bodies caused by illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

While acknowledging her concerns, the Ministry cautioned that suspending all forms of mining could have serious economic consequences for the country.

Speaking to Citi News on Thursday, November 6, the Ministry’s Media Relations Officer, Paa Kwesi Schandorf, said the government remains committed to protecting the environment while promoting responsible and lawful mining practices.

“Her suggestion is coming from a good place, given the fact that she is equally concerned about the devastation of the environment, except that you cannot place a hold on all mining activities as of now. Because mining, as we all know, is a very lucrative economic enterprise that continues to drive our economic advancement.

He clarified that the government’s focus is not on ending mining altogether, but on eliminating illegal operations that threaten the environment and communities.

“The laws that we have now permit mining except that they do not endorse illegal mining, so what we are fighting is not the whole enterprise of mining, but illegal mining activities, and the government will stay on that course,” he stated.