The new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Prof Nana Ama Browne Klutse, says she will engage individuals involved in the practice in a friendly manner.

According to her, the EPA will focus on educating the miners about sustainable mining practices and fostering a love for the environment, which will encourage them to abandon illegal mining and the destruction of nature.

"We will take a gentle approach, but we will engage them as humans, encouraging them to develop a love for the environment," she said on Joy FM's Top Story on Monday, February 3 after touring some mined areas in the Ashanti Region over the weekend.

"We will also educate the miners on sustainable mining methods and how to reclaim mined lands. Of course, we observed places that have been abandoned, where mining has ceased but left the land damaged. For those who are still mining, we can hold them accountable once their activities are completed," she added.

Her move forms part of efforts to end illegal mining in the country and restore the health of water bodies and forest reserves across mining regions.

Her tour came after she issued a warning last week, ordering the cessation of all mining activities in and around water bodies across Ghana.

This move follows growing concerns over the environmental degradation caused by illegal mining (galamsey) and unauthorised operations, which are threatening the country’s ecosystems and public health.

Professor Browne Klutse reaffirmed that the EPA will not issue mining licences in light of the ongoing environmental degradation and urged those still engaged in illegal mining to cease their activities.

Read also: EPA orders immediate cessation to mining in water bodies