Prof. Klutse urges stricter enforcement of environmental laws

By: Maame Efua Kwaduah

Physics Professor at the University of Ghana, Prof. Nana Ama Browne Klutse, has called for the stricter enforcement of environmental laws, particularly regarding small-scale mining, which continues to pose a significant threat to Ghana’s natural resources.

Speaking on behalf of the NDC’s presidential candidate at the CSIR Presidential Dialogue, on Wednesday, October 9, she compared Ghana’s mining practices with those in countries like the United States, China, Australia, and South Africa, where mining is strictly regulated.

According to Prof. Klutse, these countries, where mining is commonplace, including small-scale operations, have managed to control the environmental impact through the effective enforcement of laws. She believes Ghana also has sound environmental regulations but laments that enforcement remains a major challenge.

She stressed that while the nation has robust environmental policies, they are not being fully implemented, often because those responsible for enforcement are themselves implicated in illegal activities, such as galamsey (illegal small-scale mining).

She lamented that those who are supposed to enforce the law are the same people who are involved in galamsey.

Prof. Klutse expressed optimism about the National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s commitment to addressing the degradation caused by illegal mining. She referred to the party’s manifesto, which outlines a plan to reclaim lands damaged by galamsey activities and transform them into productive agricultural and forest lands. This effort, she noted, aligns with global environmental initiatives aimed at reforestation.

She reiterated the need to uphold Ghana’s environmental laws and protect the country’s water bodies and land resources.

She stressed the need to enforce the right laws and make sure that people are doing the right thing to save the environment.