Professor Stephen Adei blames politicians, chiefs, others for Ghana’s polluted water bodies
Educationist and former Chairman of the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), Professor Stephen Adei, has issued a stern rebuke to Ghana’s leadership over the persistent destruction of the nation’s water sources.
Speaking to a congregation in a video widely shared on social media, Professor Adei directly accused politicians, traditional leaders, and security agencies of enabling and sanitising illegal mining activities.
“The politicians, the chiefs, and the security agents are responsible for polluting the entire water sources in Ghana. They have a way of making it look acceptable,” he stated, stressing that these powerful groups continue to create narratives that make illegal mining appear legitimate.
He sarcastically noted that these groups “have a way of making galamsey appear acceptable,” despite the long-term damage to communities and natural resources.
Professor Adei further argued that even policies presented as reforms have only worsened the situation. Citing a recent government initiative, he said, “For example, the current government, which in many ways is doing well, has legalised galamsey. GoldBod is essentially the legalisation of galamsey.”
According to him, the initiative, set up to purchase gold from so-called genuine small-scale miners, only adds a layer of legitimacy to an activity that continues to devastate forest reserves, rivers, and farmlands.
He maintained that until those with authority stop enabling the practice, Ghana will continue to witness the destruction of its environment under the guise of regulated mining.
