All I need is five helicopters, a couple of guns, and just two weeks to eliminate all those polluting our waterbodies. – Prof. Nana Ama Browne Klutse, CEO of Environmental Protection Authority (EPA)
Prof. Nana Ama Browne Klutse, Chief Executive Officer of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), has come under intense public scrutiny following a bold and controversial statement regarding illegal water pollution activities across Ghana.
Speaking at an environmental stakeholders’ forum earlier this week, Prof. Klutse remarked:
“All I need is five helicopters, a couple of guns, and just two weeks to eliminate all those polluting our waterbodies.”
The comment, widely circulated on social media and picked up by major news outlets, has sparked heated debate about the tone and approach of the EPA in tackling Ghana’s longstanding issue of illegal mining (galamsey) and water pollution.
While some members of the public interpreted the statement as a metaphor for swift, decisive action, others have condemned it as dangerously militant and inappropriate coming from a public official.
Environmental activist and lawyer, Dr. Akua Dansua, called the statement “unfortunate” and “reckless.”
“We are all frustrated by the destruction of our rivers and forests, but threats of violence—even metaphorical—have no place in environmental governance,” she said.
On the other hand, several Ghanaians online expressed sympathy for the EPA boss’s frustration.
“I get her point. If you see what’s happening to our rivers, you’ll understand why she said that. We’ve tried diplomacy for too long,” wrote a social media user.
According to insiders, Prof. Klutse’s comments were made in a passionate outburst while addressing the challenges the EPA faces in enforcing environmental laws in remote galamsey-prone areas.
A source close to the EPA leadership told JoyNews that the statement was “figurative,” underscoring the lack of resources and the scale of the problem rather than a literal call for arms.
Despite this clarification, critics have urged the EPA to issue a formal statement explaining the context and reaffirming its commitment to lawful and non-violent environmental enforcement.
Governance experts have urged public officials to exercise restraint and clarity in public communication.
“Language shapes policy. Even when speaking figuratively, leaders must avoid statements that could be interpreted as inciting violence,” noted Prof. Kwame Ofori, a political analyst at the University of Ghana.
Under Prof. Klutse’s leadership, the EPA has rolled out several initiatives aimed at curbing environmental degradation, including tighter collaboration with the Minerals Commission and Ghana Water Company to identify pollution hotspots and prosecute offenders.
The Authority has also called for enhanced logistics and funding to enable swift response to environmental violations.
