Comprehensive  Ghana Oil and Gas news, information, updates, analysis


News in Brief

Cote d’Ivoire angry with Ghana for polluting its rivers

  • SOURCE: | qwesa2big
  • galamsey water

    The pollution of water bodies in the country through the activities of illegal miners is posing a threat to the quality of water in neighbouring Cote d’Ivoire.

    The situation, according to the Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI), Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, had the potential to spark a misunderstanding between the sister countries if care was not taken to stop galamsey.

    “I went to Cote d’Ivoire last week only to be welcomed by the unpleasant news about how the effects of galamsey in Ghana have resulted in the pollution of some of their water sources.

    “They find it difficult to even treat the water to make it wholesome, and this is bad for us as a country because it paints a bad image about us,” he said.

    He was speaking at the launch of an anti-galamsey campaign by the Media Coalition against Galamsey, a network of media organisations, including Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL), Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), New Times Corporation and Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA), in Accra yesterday.

    The initiative is meant to engage government and garner public support to root out galamsey in the country.

    Preservation

    Prof. Frimpong-Boateng observed that given the devastating effect illegal mining posed to the sustainability of the environment, especially water resources, it was important for pragmatic and holistic steps to be taken at all levels to stop the perpetrators from causing further destruction to the country’s natural resources.

    He said the government was prepared to tackle the menace in order to preserve the quality of the environment and also save the country’s image.

    Political will

    The General Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana (CCG), Rev. Dr Kwabena Opuni-Frimpong, said the fight against the galamsey menace required strong political will, stressing that; “The President must be strong, bold and committed to ensure that illegal mining is tackled with the energy it deserves.”

    “Ghana cannot stop mining, but it must be done responsibly. The fight against the menace ought to be a national call,” he added.

    Churches urged

    Rev. Opuni-Frimpong asked all churches within the CCG, as well as other faith-based organisations to stand up and be counted as the country waged the war against illegal miners.

    “Galamseyers are part of us because they come to our churches and give offering. Once they are part of us, we must be part of the solution to the problems they are creating,” he said.

    He noted that it was a divine call for humanity to protect God’s creation, which included preserving the quality of the environment and water resources.

     

    “It is reported that if care is not taken, Ghana will start importing water in the next 50 years. If this happens, we will not get water to baptise our converts, so we need to create awareness when we mount our pulpits,” he urged.

    Source:  http://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/cote-d-ivoire-angry-with-ghana-for-polluting-its-rivers.html

    Leave a reply

    About Us
    Reporting Oil and Gas project was launched on 4th June 2009 at Takoradi, Western Region, Ghana by Penplusbytes (www.penplusbytes.org) with the vision of providing a one stop online information and knowledge about Ghana’s oil and gas sector read more
    Twitter Activity Stream
     

    Partners We are proud to be associated with:

    Skip to toolbar