The risk of parts of the Nzema enclave in the Western Region losing their wetland habitats due to illegal mining activities is becoming increasingly alarming.
This follows the recent compliance inspection conducted by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) across parts of the region.
Deputy Director in charge of Mining at the EPA, Harrison Afful, is therefore calling for urgent government intervention to address the growing environmental threat.
During a stop at Akango in the Ellembele area, illegal miners were found brazenly engaging in alluvial gold mining within wetland areas with little regard for environmental consequences. The miners were also discharging wastewater directly into the wetlands, which connect to the Ankobrah River.
According to Harrison Afful, “Wetlands serve as natural sinks for floodwaters, so if mining activities, particularly illegal mining, continue to impact them, we risk severe flooding consequences.”
He added that, “Already, we know illegal mining activities are heavily impacting our water bodies, and now the destruction is extending to wetlands. This situation must be urgently addressed because the practice is becoming very predominant.”
His concerns are not limited to Akango alone, as similar environmental devastation was also observed at Adrekazo in the Nzema East area, where illegal mining activities continue to destroy vast portions of the ecosystem.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
