New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential aspirant Bryan Acheampong has proposed a 90-day nationwide suspension of all mining activities.
According to him, the severity of the damages caused by mining or illegal mining cannot be fixed if it continues at the pace it is on.
Speaking at his campaign office in Accra on Wednesday, October 15, Mr. Acheampong said the measure is necessary to reset the system and properly plan sustainable mining practices.
“For 90 days, everybody should stop mining in this country. Regardless of the financial consequences,” he said.
“We have to agree that for the next 90 days, and I’m not talking about even a state of emergency.”
He explained that the pause would provide an opportunity for environmental rehabilitation and national dialogue on responsible mining.
“Ninety days, raining season — let’s clear our water bodies, let’s engage how we will go back into mining,” he said.
Mr. Acheampong further stressed that continuing mining operations amid widespread environmental damage was unsustainable.
Drawing a sharp analogy, he urged that this was the way to go.
“We can’t repair the tyre or track of a moving train as fast as it is speeding. We need to agree that mining, regardless of where, should stop now,” he stressed.
