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The Member of Parliament (MP) for Asante Akyem North Constituency Hon, Andy Appiah Kubi has said that the government needs to put in more commitment to fight against Galamsey in the country.
Speaking to the press Hon, Appiah Kubi said there is no Galamsey in his constituency, ” Not that we don’t have mineral resources or there is no attempt to mine them, but the residents has driven galamseyers away in countless occasions”.
“I told the Mineral Commission that, it is not only licence that will permit someone to mine in my constituency. Even when you come with your licence the community will drive you away because we will not allow anyone to destroy our water bodies, we have done that before and we will do it again, the community will not accept it, so any licence given is subject to the community approval.”
He suggested that government could use the services of a drone with the military to flush out all illegal miners destroying our water ways and forest reserves.
The government has been urged by the National House of Chiefs to take decisive action against illegal mining in Ghana.
According to House President Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II, unlawful mining poses a threat to the nation, and the government must move quickly to solve the situation.
On Thursday, July 13, 2023, he stated during the General Meeting of the National House Chiefs in Kumasi that the chiefs are ready to assist the government in this quest.
“The government must be decisive in dealing with galamsey, and we as chiefs must support the government in this fight. There is always a surge in galamsey activities during election years. During election years, both the government in power and the opposition party look unconcerned. During election years, our government; both current and past, do not demonstrate enough political will to deal decisively with the menace”.
The government has launched several campaigns to fight illegal mining operations which have degraded several hectares of virgin lands and forests and destroyed water bodies.
Operation Vanguard, Operation Halt and Galamstop are just a few of military-police teams tasked to end the menace.
This was after President Akufo-Addo promised to put his Presidency on the line to end galamsey.
But years into the campaigns, water bodies such as Pra, Offin, Ankobra and Tano are turning murkier every day.
A report by former Minister of Environment, Prof Frimpong-Boateng, detailing the involvement of high-level government activists in illegal mining has been countered by the government.
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com/Nana Kwaku Boffah
