Surface-mining concessions have taken over 70 percent of the total land in the Tarkwa area, Mr Joseph Aidoo, Western Regional Minister said on Saturday.

He said surface mining in the region was responsible for severe environmental, social, economic and other abuses, which have to be changed.

This was contained in an address read for him at a one-day seminar organised by the Ghana Wildlife Society for members of schools wildlife clubs in Sekondi-Takoradi.

The event, dubbed "Wildfest," was on the theme "The Concern of the Youth."

Mr. Aidoo urged organisations concerned with the environment, particularly the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to be vigilant in the execution of their duties.

He urged the EPA to monitor and to bring to book culprits found to have flouted environmental laws.

Mr. Aidoo called on the Environmental Health Division of the district assemblies to enforce their bylaws on sanitation to check defecating on the beaches and the littering of public places with impunity.

Mr. Christopher Mensah, Regional Co-ordinator of the Ghana Wildlife Society, said the seminar was to help members of the clubs to acquaint themselves with environmental problems in their schools and communities.