The Small-Scale Miners Association of Ghana has accused the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) government of encouraging illegal mining activities in forest reserves and river bodies in the country.
According to Michael Peprah, the President of the Association, the menace of illegal mining which has heavily polluted the majority of Ghana's rivers is escalating because some powerful persons in the Akufo-Addo government are sponsoring individuals to mine in riverbodies and forest reserves.
Peprah's concerns follow a public outcry over the devastation of illegal mining, also known as galamsey, on the environment.
The government recently deployed military personnel to clamp down on the activities of galamsey to save the river bodies and forests that are being plowed indiscriminately.