General News
Mahama: We’ll increase efforts to clean polluted water bodies and reclaim mined lands
President John Dramani Mahama has pledged to intensify efforts to restore Ghana’s polluted water bodies and reclaim lands degraded by mining activities, describing environmental protection as central to the country’s mining reforms.
Addressing stakeholders at the maiden Mining Local Content Summit in Takoradi, President Mahama stressed that economic benefits from mining must not come at the cost of environmental destruction.
“We’ll increase our efforts to clean our water bodies and reclaim the lands that have been mined out,” he declared. “Mining must leave our communities better than it found them.”
Environmental Cost of Mining
Illegal and poorly regulated mining activities have severely polluted major rivers and degraded vast tracts of land across several regions, sparking public concern and calls for stronger action.
President Mahama acknowledged the scale of the challenge but assured that his administration remains committed to reversing the damage.
“We cannot speak about sustainable development while our rivers are polluted and our lands are scarred by abandoned pits,” he said. “Environmental stewardship must go hand in hand with economic progress.”
Strengthening Enforcement and Community Oversight
The President revealed that government would strengthen regulatory enforcement and deepen collaboration with local authorities to safeguard affected communities.
“Traditional authorities and MMDAs will continue to play a decisive role in monitoring compliance and protecting community interests,” he stated.
He emphasized that local content policies must be aligned with responsible and community-centered mining practices.
“Local content cannot be separated from responsible mining,” he noted. “Our mineral wealth must translate into improved livelihoods, restored environments and long-term prosperity.”
Formalizing Small-Scale Mining
President Mahama also reiterated his commitment to reforming the artisanal and small-scale mining sector to ensure sustainability.
“We’ll continue the fight against illegal gold mining and work to formalize the artisanal and small-scale mining sectors,” he said, adding that formalization would include improved regulation, access to training and environmentally sound mining methods.
A Legacy of Responsibility
The President challenged stakeholders to reflect on the long-term environmental legacy of Ghana’s mineral wealth.
“What will be the legacy of our mineral wealth 100 years from now?” he asked. “It must not be polluted rivers and degraded lands, but thriving communities and a responsible mining industry.”
He concluded with a call for collective action.
“This is a shared responsibility. Government cannot do it alone,” he said. “If we get this right, we will build a mining sector that is both prosperous and sustainable.”
General News
TikToker Camilla Alhassan Jailed One Year for Spreading False Claims About President Mahama
TikToker Camilla Alhassan has been sentenced to one year in prison by the Accra Circuit Court after pleading guilty to charges of offensive conduct and publishing false news.
The sentence was handed down on Thursday, July 16, after Alhassan admitted to sharing videos on social media in which she falsely claimed, without any evidence, that President John Dramani Mahama buried 32 cows as part of rituals to secure victory in the 2024 general election.
Speaking after the ruling, her lawyer, Kwadwo Gyamfi Bonsu, disclosed that the court dismissed the charge of electronic abuse, explaining that it lacked the legal jurisdiction to determine that particular offence.
Despite dropping the electronic abuse charge, the court convicted Alhassan on the count of offensive conduct and imposed a one-year custodial sentence.
According to her lawyer, the defence pleaded for a more lenient sentence, but the judge maintained that the increasing spread of false information and similar offences required a punishment that would serve as a deterrent.
Camilla Alhassan was arrested and prosecuted by the Ghana Police Service after the videos gained widespread attention on social media. Prior to sentencing, the court had also ordered a pregnancy test during an earlier hearing as part of the proceedings.
President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to equitable national development, declaring that no region of Ghana would be neglected because of its electoral choices.
Speaking during the sod-cutting ceremony for the construction of a 24-Hour Economy Model Market at Juapong in the Volta Region as part of his Resetting Ghana Tour, President Mahama said his administration was determined to ensure that every part of the country benefited from development projects.
He rejected the notion that any region should be taken for granted or left behind because of the way its people voted in elections.
“Our mandate, given to us by the good people of Ghana, is to govern the country for every Ghanaian,” he said. “Our commitment to the Volta Region is founded on fairness, equity and our constitutional responsibility to ensure balanced national development across the whole country.”
The President noted that the Volta Region had made an immeasurable contribution to Ghana’s development and deserved its fair share of national progress.
He said government was deliberately investing in infrastructure and public services across the country, including healthcare, education, roads, transport, agriculture, agro-processing and modern markets to improve livelihoods and create economic opportunities.
President Mahama made the remarks after cutting the sod for the construction of the Juapong 24-Hour Economy Model Market, one of a series of markets to be built nationwide under the government’s flagship 24-Hour Economy initiative.
Prophet Dr. Power Man has predicted that Ghana may witness the loss of some prominent personalities in the coming days, including a well-known lawyer and politician who has served the nation.
Speaking on Kessben 92.9 FM’s Awurade Akasa programme hosted by Prophet Richard Afful, the man of God was asked about what lies ahead for Ghana and its citizens.
According to Prophet Dr. Power Man, the country would move from a period of “tears of joy” into a time of great sorrow, as he claimed he had seen difficult moments ahead for the nation.
“I saw a prominent person in Ghana, a politician who is a lawyer and has served the nation. He is a very prominent person,” he stated.
He added that from July 14, 2026, through December 2027, Ghanaians would hear reports of the passing of some notable personalities.
“From 14th July till 2027 December, we will hear about the death of prominent people, about four or three people in the country,” Prophet Dr. Power Man said.
When asked by the host whether the people involved would be young or old, the prophet responded that some would be elderly while others would be young.
He further explained that when it comes to such situations, sickness may not always be the cause, adding that “death is what is meant to be” and should not always be attributed to witchcraft
Money Before Votes! – Policy Expert Reveals Why Election Campaigns Have Become So Expensive in Ghana
Vote Buying Is Illegal, But Delegates Now Flaunt It Openly – Political Scientist Raises Alarm Over Rising Cost of Ghana’s Elections
‘Please Forgive Me’ – Awal Apologises to Senior Colleagues
-
Entertainment2 weeks agoCreative Sector Under Review: Assessing 1 Year, 7 Months of Government Performance
-
Entertainment1 week agoMahama: More Funding Coming for Creative Arts in 2027
-
Entertainment4 days agoDerrick Manny Calls for Better Support for Ghanaian Creatives Following Dede Padiki’s Death
-
General News2 weeks agoGovernment Settles US$700 Million Eurobond Obligation Ahead of Schedule
-
General News1 week agoGhana’s Creative Industry Grieves the Loss of Renowned Visual Artist Sharon Dede Padiki Padi
-
General News1 week agoKwadwo Safo Kantanka’s Will Gave Akofena Control Over His Body and Funeral, Not Entire Empire – Lawyer Clarifies
-
Entertainment1 week agoApostle Kwadwo Safo Kantanka’s Reported Will: Companies, Beneficiaries and Final Wishes
-
General News2 weeks agoCOCOBOD Injects GH¢2.6 Billion to Clear Cocoa Farmers’ Payments