The University of Ghana officially opened its 77th Annual New Year School, an intellectual forum that aimed at fostering national dialogue on governance, development, and Ghana’s socio-economic future.

Delivering the keynote address, President John Mahama said the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, is beginning to yield positive results, with some polluted water bodies showing signs of recovery.

He admitted the battle has not been easy, citing resistance from affected communities, but commended the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, the anti-illegal mining task force, NAIMOS, and other stakeholders for their persistence, urging them to intensify efforts and not give up.

President Mahama noted that sustainable mining practices, forest protection, and the deployment of river guards upstream are contributing to visible improvements in water quality in some areas.

Governance expert and business management consultant, Ismael Yamson, also addressed the gathering, warning that no economy can survive when its environment is destroyed for the greed of a select few.

He described the devastation of Ghana’s rivers through illegal mining as a “spiritual collapse” rooted in a culture of impunity, stressing that environmental destruction without accountability threatens the nation’s long-term stability.

President Mahama further announced that materials for the construction of a 10,000-bed capacity hostel for the University of Ghana have been shipped and are expected to arrive in the country soon.

He also pointed to recent traffic congestion on the Accra–Kumasi Highway, largely driven by large church activities, as evidence of the urgent need for a new expressway to ease pressure on the road.