The Minority on the Works and Housing Committee has called for the immediate removal of Ghana’s Lands Minister and his deputies.

The Minority on the Works and Housing Committee accused the Minister and his deputies of failing to protect the country's water bodies from the damaging effects of illegal mining, commonly known as "galamsey."

Vincent Oppong Asamoah, Ranking Member of the Works and Housing Committee, argued that removing the ministers is crucial to addressing the problem.

“If you have a Lands Minister and two deputies in charge of our lands and forestry and they cannot protect our mineral body, the best you can do to them is to sack them,” he stated.

He emphasised that replacing them might lead to improved outcomes, as “firing is the worst a minister could suffer over underperformance.”

Mr. Asamoah highlighted the widespread nature of the galamsey crisis, noting that even the hometown of Deputy Lands Minister Mireku Duker is not immune to the menace.

His comments reflect growing frustration over the ineffective management of illegal mining activities.

The call for action follows alarming reports from Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL), which has warned of severe disruptions in water supply due to illegal mining in the Pra River.

The contamination has led to a dramatic reduction in water production nationwide, from 70 percent to just 40 percent.

The Central Region, including cities like Cape Coast and Elmina, has been particularly hard-hit, leaving residents without water for extended periods.

In response to the crisis, Clifford Braimah, Managing Director of GWCL, has suggested that the government should consider deploying the military to protect vulnerable water sources.

Despite these recommendations, Asamoah expressed doubts about the likelihood of effective measures being implemented before the upcoming general elections.

Meanwhile, Water and Sanitation Minister Lydia Alhassan has assured the public that the ministry is actively working on interventions to mitigate the impact of illegal mining.

“The situation is getting worse by the day. We at the ministry have put measures in place to ensure that the situation minimises,” she said.