Bryan Acheampong Proposes 90-Day Nationwide Ban on Mining to Protect Water Bodies

New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential aspirant Dr. Bryan Acheampong has proposed a 90-day nationwide suspension of all mining activities to help rejuvenate Ghana’s heavily polluted rivers and other natural water sources.

Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, October 15, Dr. Acheampong said Ghana must take bold, collective action to safeguard its environment, even if it comes with short-term economic sacrifices.

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

He explained that his proposal was not meant to declare a state of emergency but to build a national consensus for environmental restoration.

“Let’s clean our water bodies first, then discuss how to responsibly resume mining. I’m not calling for a state of emergency—just a total stop to mining, no matter the location,” he clarified.

Drawing an analogy, Dr. Acheampong compared the fight against galamsey to trying to repair a moving train, emphasizing the need to pause all operations before real progress can be achieved.

“We cannot repair the tyres or the track of a moving train. As long as it’s still in motion, we need to agree to stop,” he said.

His comments come amid rising public outrage over the destructive impact of illegal mining (galamsey) on Ghana’s water bodies, forests, and rural livelihoods.