Member of Parliament for Tano North, Dr. Gideon Boako, has called for a comprehensive national geological survey to identify mineral-rich zones and reduce the widespread illegal mining activities known locally as galamsey.

Speaking at the closing session of the maiden College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CoHSS) International Sustainability Conference on the theme “Sustainability through Social Inclusion, Business Innovations and Global Trends”, Dr. Boako said the absence of clear geological mapping contributes to the indiscriminate digging of land across the country.

“If as a country we are able to properly identify gold-bearing areas, miners can be directed and confined to such locations where supervision can be done effectively,” he said. “Government does not have the financial and human resources to deploy security personnel to every illegal mining site nationwide. The cost is too high.”

He stressed that sustainable development efforts require both policy and personal responsibility, adding that environmental preservation is a shared duty.

Dr. Boako also raised concerns over waste disposal, stating that most waste in Ghana is solid and contributes to blocked drainage systems.

He urged greater use of biodegradable materials and called on industries to invest in renewable energy. “I have seen companies and government institutions adopting solar power, and I personally use it,” he noted.

On afforestation, he encouraged deliberate restoration of depleted mining lands through replanting programmes and stronger reclamation enforcement. He also suggested revising the incentives for plastic waste collection to make it more attractive for citizens.

Also speaking at the conference, Dr. Marian Quayson Terschmaker, Sales Development Manager at Nestlé and an alumna of KNUST, said companies seeking sustainability-driven investment must demonstrate strong Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) reporting.

“Sustainability reporting provides transparent information to investors, regulators and customers about a company’s environmental impact, social responsibility and corporate governance,” she said.

She warned that mining practices using chemicals such as cyanide have long-term effects on soil and public health.

“There are those who are unaware their methods are harmful, and others who know but prioritize convenience and profit,” she stated.

Dr. Terschmaker emphasised that sustainability must be embedded into company culture. “It should not be seen as merely obeying rules. From manufacturing to packaging, companies have no option but to be sustainable. If you produce and there is nobody to consume, what is the essence?” she said.

She encouraged a shift from a “take–use–dispose” mindset to a “use–reuse–recycle–regenerate” approach, urging citizens to participate in plastic buy-back and recycling initiatives already available in parts of the country.