The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Environmental Protection Agency (Ghana), Professor Michael Ayamga-Adongo, has expressed concern over the growing trend of illegal gold processing taking place in residential areas in Accra, warning that it poses a serious environmental and public health risk.

Speaking on the AM Show on Joy News, Professor Ayamga revealed that some residents in the capital are now importing rocks and processing gold in their homes — an activity that could release dangerous chemicals, including mercury, into the environment.

“I just got some disturbing news that even in the cities of Accra, people now bring in rocks and other things and then they are processing gold in their homes. This could discharge mercury and other banned substances into the environment,” he said.

“So, it is not just the forest that is being destroyed.”

The EPA Deputy CEO cautioned that the fight against illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, must not be seen as the sole responsibility of the Presidency or security agencies.

He stressed that citizens must also take ownership of protecting their immediate surroundings.

“Instead of saying, ‘Hello, dear Mahama,’ I think our caption should be ‘Dear Ghanaians.’ Albert Einstein said something I always want to reiterate — we cannot solve our problems with the same mindset we had when we created them. We need to change our thinking,” he added.

Professor Ayamga urged the public to be more vigilant and proactive in reporting illegal activities, pointing out that pollution of water bodies and environmental degradation affect everyone, not just the government.

“When activities around us are polluting our waters and endangering all of us, it’s not enough to just blame the President. The Presidency or your home is an extension of the Presidency, and we need to see this as our responsibility,” he said.

Illegal mining remains one of Ghana’s most pressing environmental challenges.

Despite intensified crackdowns and national campaigns against galamsey, the menace continues to threaten river bodies, farmlands, and ecosystems across the country.

The EPA has, in recent months, stepped up efforts to monitor and clamp down on environmentally harmful practices in both rural and urban communities.