Set Up Water Fund To Treat Water Bodies Destroyed By Galamsey – Davis Ansah Opoku Urges Gov't

The Member of Parliament for Mpraeso, Davis Ansah Opoku, is calling on the government to establish a water fund to deal with the problems caused by illegal mining. He recommends that the money generated from this fund be used to treat water bodies affected by illegal mining activities. Mr Ansah Opoku emphasises the need for the government to have more financial resources to tackle this issue.

Speaking on the floor during the debate on the 2024 budget statement and economic policy of the Government of Ghana, He stressed the importance of establishing a water fund to restore water bodies damaged by illegal mining. He believes this initiative will demonstrate the government's commitment to protecting the environment and safeguarding communities from natural disasters.

"Mr Speaker, everybody is talking about 'Galamsey' and how it has destroyed our water bodies. There's the need for a fund to be set aside so that monies deposited in this fund will be used to repair destroyed rivers, construct new waters for our people, and ensure that the Ghanaian is assured of good drinking water," Davis Opoku Ansah suggested.

He also proposed establishing the Ghana Water Guard to safeguard Ghana's water resources from pollution, degradation, and misuse, particularly in the ongoing challenges of illegal mining and industrial pollution.

During his speech, he suggested a fund be created to repair destroyed rivers, construct new waters for the people, and ensure that Ghanaians can access safe drinking water.

Meanwhile, the Minority MPs on the Lands and Forestry Committee of Parliament have criticised the government for failing to account for funds allocated in the fight against illegal mining. They claim that $30 million was allocated quarterly to the defunct inter-ministerial committee for three years. Over GH¢5 million was spent on the government's engagements with traditional leaders and security agencies to combat the 'Galamsey' menace.

Deputy Ranking Member on the Lands and Forestry Committee, Alhassan Suhuyini, emphasised the need for accountability in the fight against 'Galamsey,' questioning the absence of any mention of the issue in the budget statement despite significant expenditures.