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GoldBod Commits GH¢8.4 Million to Rehabilitate Water Systems Damaged by Illegal Mining

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The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has committed GH¢8.4 million towards the first phase of rehabilitating water treatment systems affected by illegal mining activities in the Western and Central Regions.

The intervention was announced during the signing of a Water Infrastructure Rehabilitation Funding and Implementation Agreement between GoldBod and Ghana Water Limited (GWL).

According to the Chief Executive Officer of GoldBod, Sammy Gyamfi, the support goes beyond the board’s gold trading mandate and forms part of its broader responsibility to promote environmental restoration and sustainability.

He explained that the Ghana Gold Board Act, 2025 (Act 1140) gives the institution additional responsibilities, including supporting reclamation and environmental protection initiatives.

“Parliament, in passing the Ghana Gold Board Act 2025, Act 1140, gave the Gold Board a number of other functions that are complementary to the gold trading mandates,” Mr Gyamfi said.

He noted that Ghana Water Limited had approached GoldBod after illegal mining, sand winning and other human activities caused severe degradation to six major water supply systems.

The affected facilities include Abonsa, Daboase, Skyereheman and Wiemoase, among others, where excessive siltation has affected the ability of the plants to treat safe drinking water.

Mr Gyamfi said GoldBod conducted feasibility studies through its Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) officers in collaboration with Ghana Water Limited and confirmed the severity of the damage.

“We indeed confirmed that the siltation levels of water bodies were very extreme,” he stated.

Due to financial limitations, GoldBod will undertake the project in phases, beginning with the rehabilitation of three out of the six affected water systems.

The first phase will focus on the Abunsa, Abwasi and Enyirasi water supply systems.

The CEO stressed that the environmental challenges caused by illegal mining existed before the establishment of GoldBod, adding that the priority is finding solutions rather than assigning blame.

“We are not the ones that created the problem we are talking about, but it’s all about Ghana. It is not about when the problem happens, it is about how we can solve it,” he said.

Scope of rehabilitation works

The GH¢8.4 million project will cover:

  • Desilting of affected water systems
  • Dredging and sediment removal
  • Hydrographic surveys
  • Reservoir capacity assessments
  • Stabilization of intake infrastructure
  • Water quality restoration and monitoring
  • Engineering supervision and technical verification

Mr Gyamfi assured that GoldBod would not simply release funds without monitoring the project.

He said the board would assign representatives to supervise the implementation while Ghana Water Limited executes the works with qualified personnel.

“We don’t want to just emit money. We want to ensure that the money is used for the intended purpose,” he added.

Water crisis persisted for nine years – GWL MD

The Managing Director of Ghana Water Limited, Hon. Adam Mutawakilu, disclosed that the high turbidity affecting several water treatment plants in the Central and Western Regions has persisted for more than nine years.

He said the situation had become too extensive for Ghana Water Limited to handle alone, forcing the company to seek support from other institutions.

“The issue of high turbidity has been with us for over nine years now. Ghana Water alone cannot handle the need, so we have to approach other agencies to come to our aid,” he stated.

Mr Mutawakilu praised GoldBod for its swift response after receiving the company’s request.

He explained that technical teams from both institutions visited the affected sites and confirmed the urgent need for intervention.

The GWL boss assured that the company would ensure transparency and accountability in the execution of the GH¢8.4 million project.

“Whatever you are giving us, we are giving you everything that you need. At the end of the day, we will work together to ensure that whatever is outlined in the agreement comes out,” he said.

He added that successful completion of the first phase would create the opportunity for GoldBod to support the rehabilitation of the remaining three water systems.

The affected communities, including Bonsa, Abwasi, Enyirasi and surrounding areas, are expected to benefit from improved access to safe and reliable drinking water once the rehabilitation is completed.

GoldBod says the initiative is part of its commitment under the Ghana Gold Board Act 2025 (Act 1140) to support environmental restoration and sustainable development.

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“I Am Unbroken!” – Dennis Miracles Aboagye Breaks Silence After EOCO Detention

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New Patriotic Party (NPP) communications strategist Dennis Miracles Aboagye has broken his silence following his release from the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), declaring that his detention has only strengthened his resolve to contest for the party’s National Communications Director position.

In a statement shared after regaining his freedom, Aboagye said he remained “unbroken” and “more ready than ever,” thanking party supporters for standing by him throughout the period of his detention.

According to him, he was picked up by EOCO just one day after publicly announcing his intention to contest for the position of National Communications Director of the NPP.

He claimed that false narratives had circulated regarding the circumstances of his arrest but expressed confidence that the truth would ultimately prevail.

Aboagye also dismissed reports suggesting that EOCO questioned him over an alleged GH¢55 million matter.

“For the records: There was no discussion of any GH¢55 million with me by EOCO. None!!!” he stated.

The aspiring communications director expressed gratitude to party faithful who protested and spoke out in support of him during his detention, saying news of their demonstrations reached him while he was in custody and gave him strength.

According to him, the supporters were not only defending him as an individual but also standing up for the principle that political voices should not be intimidated into silence.

Aboagye insisted that the experience had not weakened his determination.

“If the intention was to break me, it has failed. If the intention was to scare me, it has failed spectacularly,” he said.

He reaffirmed his ambition to lead the NPP’s Communications Directorate, stating that he remained committed to helping the party shape its messaging despite the recent events.

He added that the experience had only intensified his determination, saying, “Fuel has only been added to fire.”

Aboagye also thanked his legal team, the NPP leadership and all supporters who stood by him throughout the ordeal, describing the journey as one shared by the party’s faithful.

He ended his statement with a message of unity and determination, declaring that they would move forward “stronger, louder, together,” and affirming that he remains “Built to Lead. Ready to Win.”

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NPP Annuls Constituency Executive Elections in Three Constituencies Over Electoral Irregularities

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The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has nullified the Constituency Executive Elections conducted in three constituencies following what it described as serious violations of party directives, election regulations, and, in some instances, existing court orders.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, July 15, the party announced that the National Steering Committee had taken the decision after reviewing reports on the constituency executive elections held across the country over the weekend.

The affected constituencies are Bantama, Afigya Sekyere East, and Adansi Asokwa, where the party said the elections were conducted in blatant disregard of the rules and regulations governing the 2026 Constituency Executive Elections.

As part of measures to establish the circumstances surrounding the incidents, the National Steering Committee has directed the Ashanti Regional Steering Committee to appear before it on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, to account for the conduct of the elections in the affected constituencies.

The party further disclosed that election-related disputes in Asante Akyem Central, together with all other unresolved constituency election disputes, have been referred to the Electoral Affairs Committee of the National Council for review, advice, and recommendations.

The NPP reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring transparency, fairness, and adherence to its constitution and regulations in the conduct of its internal elections. It stressed that the party remains committed to upholding the rule of law while safeguarding the integrity and credibility of its internal democratic processes.

The statement was jointly signed by Acting National Chairman Danquah Smith Buttey and General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong.

NEW PATRIOTIC PARTY ANNULS PURPORTED CONSTITUENCY EXECUTIVE

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Government Restores Achimota Forest Reserve, Rolls Out New Mining Laws to Protect Environment

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The Government has announced sweeping policy reforms aimed at strengthening environmental protection, including restoring the Achimota Forest to its original reserve status and introducing new mining regulations to improve governance in the extractive sector.

Addressing the Government Accountability Series at the Presidency, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah said the measures form part of government’s broader strategy to safeguard Ghana’s forests, water bodies and mineral resources.

One of the key announcements was Cabinet’s decision on June 24, 2026, to revoke Executive Instrument (E.I.) 144, as amended by E.I. 234, thereby restoring Achimota Forest as a protected forest reserve.

According to the Minister, the decision preserves the forest as an important ecological buffer for Accra and surrounding communities while preventing future encroachment.

Mr. Buah also announced that Cabinet has approved a revised Minerals and Mining Policy 2014 and a new Minerals and Mining Bill to replace the existing Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703).

The proposed legislation introduces several reforms, including the establishment of district mining committees, the creation of a medium-scale mining category, a maximum mining lease period of 20 years, and mandatory Community Development Agreements between mining companies and host communities.

Government has also passed Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2517 – Minerals and Mining (Royalties) Regulations, 2025, introducing a sliding-scale royalty system that adjusts royalty payments based on mineral prices to protect both state revenue and mining companies during market fluctuations.

Beyond legislative reforms, the Ministry is accelerating environmental restoration through the Tree for Life Restoration Initiative.

Mr. Buah disclosed that approximately 31 million seedlings were planted in 2025, restoring about 23,600 hectares of degraded land. Government plans to plant another 30 million seedlings in 2026, supported by 2,719 Youth Forest Champions engaged in nursery development, tree planting and forest protection.

The Minister further announced that the Electronic Land Information System (ELIS) has been rolled out in nine regions, enabling citizens to access land search services online without visiting Lands Commission offices.

Government has also launched the Strategic Land Administration Reform Project (SLARP) and is piloting Land Banks to provide secure land for large-scale agricultural and agro-industrial investments.

Reaffirming government’s commitment to environmental protection, Mr. Buah stressed that natural resources must be preserved for future generations.

“Our rivers are not for sale. Our forests are not expendable. Our mineral wealth is a sacred national inheritance that we have a duty to protect,” he said.

He added that, protecting Ghana’s natural resources requires a collective effort, urging traditional authorities, security agencies, civil society organisations, the media and the general public to actively support government’s environmental protection agenda. He stressed that stronger collaboration among stakeholders would help sustain efforts to reclaim polluted rivers, restore degraded forests and promote responsible management of the country’s mineral resources.

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