Bryan Acheampong Proposes 90-Day Nationwide Halt on Mining to Restore Water Bodies

New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential aspirant Dr. Bryan Acheampong has urged government to impose a 90-day nationwide suspension on all mining activities to help rehabilitate Ghana’s heavily polluted rivers and natural ecosystems.

Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday, October 15, Dr. Acheampong argued that Ghana must make bold environmental choices, even if they come with short-term economic sacrifices.

“Everyone must stop mining in this country. Regardless of the financial consequences, we should collectively agree that for the next 90 days—especially during the rainy season—all mining must cease,” he stated.

He emphasized that his call was not for a state of emergency but for a unified national effort to allow water bodies to recover and enable a structured plan for sustainable mining afterward.

“Let’s clean our rivers first and then discuss how to resume responsible mining. I’m not declaring an emergency; I’m calling for a total pause on mining, wherever it takes place,” he clarified.

Drawing an analogy, Dr. Acheampong said the current approach to fighting galamsey was like “trying to fix a train while it’s still moving,” stressing that a full stop was necessary before any real progress could be achieved.

“We cannot fix the tyre or the track of a moving train. As long as it keeps running, we won’t succeed. We must agree to stop,” he asserted.

His remarks come amid mounting public outrage over the environmental destruction caused by illegal mining (galamsey), which continues to threaten Ghana’s rivers, forests, and rural livelihoods.