Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, George Mireku Duker, has pledged that if the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is re-elected, the country's heavily polluted water bodies will be restored to their natural state within three months.

This promise comes amid ongoing concerns regarding the environmental damage caused by illegal mining, commonly known as “galamsey.”

Mr Duker emphasised that the government has the capability and plans to rehabilitate the water bodies that have suffered severe degradation.

At a recent meeting with small-scale miners in the Prestea Huni Valley enclave, Duker expressed his concerns about the politicisation of the galamsey issue as the general elections approach.

He argued that the focus should remain on effective solutions rather than political maneuvering.

Duker reassured small-scale miners that the NPP government has no intention of imposing a blanket ban on their operations.

He stressed the importance of responsible mining practices and reiterated the government's support for the sector.

“We don’t solve a problem while standing in it. We are barely a month and a half away from elections, so there is a lot of propaganda going around. But, God willing, if small-scale miners support us and we retain power on December 7, within three months, the next NPP government will ensure that our water bodies are clean,” he said.