Government has vowed to get rid of illegal mining activities on all water bodies and restore these rivers to their natural state in 7 months.

The lands and Natural Resources Ministry says it will make sure all water bodies polluted by illegal mining are restored to their natural state by March 2023.

“What I think must be of interest to you and Ghanaians is the assurance of getting our river bodies clean,” he stated.

Speaking to Raymond Acquah on Upfront, on Thursday, the Deputy Minister in charge of mining, George Mireku Duker said the state has put in fresh measures to ensure that pollution of these rivers become a thing of the past.

This comes on the heels of the recent outcry over surge in illegal mining activities, especially on major rivers, which according to studies is likely to constrain Ghana into importing water from other countries by 2030.

Mr. Duker said, “what I’m telling you on behalf of the sector Minister, Mr. Samuel Abu Jinapor and my good self, is that by March next year, we will have something to show to Ghanaians in terms of getting our river bodies clean.”

The Deputy Minister upon being asked whether he will resign if his plan fails, said the issue of illegal mining is not life and death.

“It’s not life and death, Ghanaians know and appreciate when you work hard, they know, I’ll make sure that I support my country to protect the river bodies and by March, I’ll have something to show.”