President John Dramani Mahama has urged stakeholders in the fight against illegal mining, also known as galamsey, to remain steadfast.

According to the president, there are early signs of success in restoring affected water bodies. He said at the annual New Year School conference in Accra on Tuesday, January 6.

"The Environmental Protection Agency, all of those involved in the fight against illegal mining, please don’t give up. There are some positive results beginning to show,” he said.

The President said he observed this during his visit to Crown Forest over the Christmas period, where he and his family enjoyed a peaceful retreat away from the holiday crowds.

He says during the visit, he observed notable improvements in the Ayensu River, which flows near areas previously ravaged by illegal mining activities.

"We appreciate the work that NAIMOS and the river guards are doing. Apparently, the river guards had operated upstream where the mining was taking place, and so it had changed the colour of the water. So that is why I am encouraging you to keep up the fight and even strengthen it,” he added.

Mr Mahama said the river, which only six months ago bore the dark, coffee-like hue associated with mining pollution, has since become visibly clearer, now taking on a light appearance.

He attributed the improvement to the concerted efforts of the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), and river guards who have taken decisive action upstream against illegal mining.