Freeze Mining For 90-Days – Bryan Acheampong Demands
Accra — At a press briefing held on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, NPP flagbearer aspirant Dr. Bryan Acheampong called for a nationwide suspension of all mining activities for 90 days. The proposal seeks to protect Ghana’s food systems, restore polluted water bodies, and allow environmental recovery during the rainy season.
Acheampong emphasized the urgency: “Everybody should stop mining in this country. Regardless of the financial consequences, we have to agree that for the next 90 days — during the rainy season — we should stop mining.”
He clarified that his proposal is not a call for a national emergency but a structured pause to provide breathing space for Ghana’s rivers, soils, and communities.
According to a statement from his office, the 90-day halt would serve two purposes: first, to allow nature to heal and clean water systems naturally through the rains; and second, to give the state enough time to craft a comprehensive framework on responsible mining.
Acheampong stressed that the proposed moratorium could be led and coordinated by Goldbod, the institution currently overseeing Ghana’s mining systems and operations.
He explained that Goldbod has both the mandate and logistical reach to enforce a temporary suspension, supervise rehabilitation of affected lands, and ensure that illegal operations remain shut down during the cleanup period.
“Goldbod controls our mining systems. This is the moment for them to lead — to show that mining can be managed responsibly, in a way that protects both the economy and the environment,” his statement read.
The call follows fresh concerns from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that Ghana’s food systems are being poisoned by mining-related chemicals spreading from the North to the South. The EPA has warned of mercury and heavy-metal contamination of soils, rivers, and farmlands, threatening national food security.
Traces of these toxins, the Agency noted, are now showing up in local foods such as rice, cassava, plantain, and vegetables, meaning the food on our tables is increasingly tainted by mining pollution.
Environmental data from 2024 and 2025 confirm that widespread illegal mining has degraded major river systems, including the Pra, Offin, and Ankobra. Communities dependent on these sources now face severe health and agricultural consequences.
Acheampong’s proposal is bold and politically charged. Mining is a key economic driver, and any pause could face resistance from vested interests. However, he insists that the long-term cost of poisoned food, sick communities, and barren farmlands far outweighs short-term profit.
“If our food systems are being poisoned and we just look on because we prefer to make money, soon there will be no people left to try and arrest the situation,” he warned.
The proposal aligns with his campaign’s broader theme — power that works for the people — positioning him as a leader ready to make tough, people-first decisions for Ghana’s future.
If adopted, the 90-day moratorium would require coordination between Goldbod, the EPA, the Minerals Commission, and local assemblies. The plan would include enforcement measures, river rehabilitation, and a new policy blueprint for “Responsible Mining.”