President John Dramani Mahama has tasked the newly sworn-in Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, to provide leadership in the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
According to John Mahama, the destruction of Ghana’s forests and water bodies through illegal mining remains one of the gravest threats to the country’s national survival.
President Mahama urged Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings to protect the country’s natural resources while working to secure a healthier environment for future generations.
Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony on Saturday, August 29, President Mahama stated, “Your medical training provides a particularly important perspective. The environment is not separate from human health. Polluted rivers, contaminated soils, poor sanitation, unsafe air, and indiscriminate waste disposal eventually find expression in our hospitals and in the health of our people.
Your task, therefore, Honourable Minister, is both environmental and human. You must provide determined leadership to protect Ghana’s natural resources and secure a healthier future for generations yet unborn”.
“The destruction of our forests and water bodies through illegal mining remains one of the gravest threats to our national survival,” he added.
Mahama further charged Mahama Ayariga and Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings to uphold accountability, transparency and integrity as they begin their respective assignments as ministers.
He stated, “Let me remind you that the Ghanaian people expect results; they expect integrity, accessibility and accountability. They expect public officials to listen to them and act with urgency, so be firm where firmness is required. Be fair where fairness is required but always remember to remain humble.
“Listen to professional advice, respect the institutions under your leadership and ensure that public resources are managed prudently. Let every decision you take withstand the test of legality, fairness and public interest.”
Meanwhile, Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings at his vetting disclosed that effective coordination among relevant stakeholders is crucial to tackling illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, in Ghana.
Speaking during her vetting before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Thursday, 27 August, she stated, “I do believe that the easiest way to address it (Galamsey) is to have effective coordination between the ministries, departments and the agencies”.
“All of these activities (galamsey) are happening within our local governance space, and we have the decentralised Environmental Protection Authority and all these agencies at the local level as well. The regular reporting improves transparency, it also helps us to track the extent of interventions that are making an impact,” she added.
“To start with, I would want to sit with the relevant ministers of the various ministries that have an interest in the galamsey fight. This will range from the land as well as the local government to ensure that we are page to avoid the silo effect, and so that is what I will start with,” she noted.
“Public office is a privilege and not a right but it is also demanding of trust. It requires us to place the national interest above personal convenience, political consideration and sectional interest.”
— ChannelOne TV (@Channel1TVGHA) August 29, 2026
—President Mahama urges Mahama Ayariga and Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings to… pic.twitter.com/YVSeog7aRF
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