Eastern Regional Minister Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey has reaffirmed her commitment to responsible mining to protect the environment from further degradation.
Speaking at a staff engagement at the Eastern Regional Coordinating Council (ERCC) as she officially assumed office, the Minister stressed the devastating impact of illegal mining (galamsey) in the region, particularly its effect on river bodies, forest reserves, and agricultural lands.
The Eastern Region has been severely affected by illegal mining, leading to polluted water sources, degraded lands, and deforestation, especially in the Atewa Forest Reserve.
Hon. Adjei Awatey emphasized the urgent need for sustainable mining practices, stating: “We would have to make sure our people mine responsibly such that our forests, lands and water bodies are protected”.
She added that “We would improve our water and sanitation issues by providing quality and safe drinking water to our people”.
She announced plans to embark on a tour of the region to engage chiefs and people to ascertain the actual state of infrastructure in the various sectors as well as having firsthand information on the challenges that confront the region.
Additionally, the Minister said she would go through the handing over notes of her predecessor to move the region from where he left off.
The Minister touched on the need to improve the quality of Education and Health care and create jobs for the youth in the region.
“We would expand access to mobile telecommunications with the rural telephony project. Employment for the youth is key for me, and we’ll take steps to make that a reality. We would have to do a lot more on our roads. We look forward to a region with expanded access to our farming communities so that foodstuffs can move easily to our market centers”, the minister assured.
The Minister assured to improve the security situation to make sure lives are protected, and crime is reduced to the minimum.
Eastern Regional Coordinating Director Yaw Adu Asamoah said, there are 222 staff at the Regional Coordinating Council made up of 144 males and 76 females. Out of the number, 72 are senior officers and 150 Junior officers.
He assured that as Civil servants, they serve the government of the day and therefore will give the Minister and the government maximum support to succeed in the implementation of its policies and programs.
