Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings cautions against sacrificing environment for gold

Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, the Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, has issued a stern warning to Ghanaians regarding the prioritization of gold extraction over environmental preservation. Speaking at a climate forum in Accra, the Minister emphasized that the nation cannot afford to compromise its natural life-support systems for short-term mineral gains. She reminded citizens that while gold is a finite resource, the environment is essential for the long-term survival and well-being of future generations.

During her address, Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings used the poignant phrase "we cannot eat gold" to underscore the futility of accumulating wealth at the expense of ecological health. She pointed out that Ghana risks exhausting its gold deposits in the future, leaving behind a legacy of destruction if current mining practices are not reformed. The Minister highlighted the devastating impact of illegal mining, locally known as galamsey, which continues to ravage the country's landscape and deplete its natural capital.

The destruction of water bodies and the decimation of forest reserves were central themes in the Minister's presentation. She noted that these activities do not only threaten biodiversity but also compromise the quality of water available to the populace, creating a public health and security risk. Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings called for heightened public accountability, urging Ghanaians to take a stand against illegal mining activities. She stressed that environmental protection must be viewed as a shared responsibility rather than an obligation of the state alone.

Concluding her remarks at the forum, the Minister called for broad-based support to preserve Ghana's natural resources for the benefit of both current and future citizens. She argued that safeguarding the environment is a prerequisite for sustainable development and national climate resilience. The forum served as a platform to remind stakeholders that the long-term cost of environmental degradation far outweighs the immediate economic benefits derived from intensive gold mining, especially when such activities are conducted outside the legal framework.