Environmental advocate Ken Ashigbey has called on Ghana’s Minerals Commission to tighten its licensing procedures for small-scale mining operations.
Speaking at a DAAD Alumni Seminar held in Takoradi, Ashigbey stressed the urgent need for verified mineral data before permits are issued, warning that the current system is contributing to widespread environmental degradation.
He emphasized that unregulated mining activities often carried out without proper geological assessments are damaging ecosystems and threatening water sources across the country.
Ashigbey urged policymakers to adopt sustainable, data-backed practices that balance economic development with environmental protection.
“The time has come for us to stop issuing licenses blindly,” he said. “We need to ensure that every mining activity is grounded in solid scientific data to prevent further harm to our land and communities.”
His remarks add to growing calls for reform in Ghana’s mining sector, where illegal and poorly regulated operations continue to pose serious environmental and social risks.
