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Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings urges security agencies to stop illegal mining

Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, the Minister of Environment, Science, and Technology, has called for immediate and enhanced collaboration among security agencies to tackle illegal mining in the Eastern Region. During a formal meeting with the Eastern Regional Minister, Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, she highlighted the urgent need for a coordinated response to the environmental degradation and public health risks posed by unregulated mining activities. The Minister’s appeal comes as the government intensifies its efforts to safeguard the nation’s natural resources from the persistent threat of illegal operations. The Minister specifically pointed to the scale of illegal mining operations in Osino, where activities are being carried out in dangerous proximity to major roads. She emphasized that these operations do more than just scar the landscape; they present significant hazards to the health of local residents and the safety of public infrastructure. To address these systemic challenges, Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings advocated for the establishment of environmental fast-track courts. These specialized judicial bodies would be designed to ensure the swift enforcement of existing mining laws and to verify that all small-scale operators are in strict compliance with their permit requirements. In response, Eastern Regional Minister Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey expressed the region's commitment to the cause, noting the immense pressure illegal mining places on the area's water bodies and forests. She stressed the necessity of sustained, long-term support from the Ministry and security forces to protect the region’s natural heritage for future generations. The proposed collaboration aims to bridge the gap between policy and enforcement, creating a robust framework where environmental crimes are met with decisive legal action.