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His Excellency Tong Defa, the Chinese ambassador to Ghana, has sparked a nationwide debate by claiming that Ghana “can never eliminate” illegal mining, or galamsey as it is known locally, and that instead, the country needs to figure out how to manage its environmental impact.
Speaking to media during a media briefing at his private home in Accra on Thursday, June 19, the envoy accused Ghanaians, not Chinese, of being responsible for the worsening galamsey crisis, claiming that locals were enabling the illicit activities.
“To my understanding, in this country, you can never eliminate those small mines. Those mines, you will have illegalities involved in them,” he said. “We need to find ways to solve this problem… The government needs to work on a policy to eliminate the pollution of waters and forests.”
The ambassador’s remarks coincide with a growing national outcry over Galamsey’s destruction of the environment. Stronger action against the political players and financiers behind the illicit trade has been demanded by civil society organizations, such as the Ghana Coalition Against Illegal Mining.
The widespread belief that Chinese people are at the heart of illicit mining activities in Ghana was refuted by Ambassador Defa. He emphasized, “I don’t understand why when people say galamsey, they equate it to Chinese.”
“Actually, it is not Chinese. It didn’t originate from China. Chinese nationals cannot obtain licences or get permits. It is the Ghanaian people who throw the Chinese people over here.”
He suggested that many of the Chinese nationals arrested for illegal mining were migrant labourers, brought into Ghana by locals looking to exploit the mining sector for quick financial gain.
“Some of those who were caught red-handed are just migrant workers… I have a social media and when I post on X, people tag me with galamsey as if galamsey is caused by China. It is unfair to me. It is really unfair to me and to the majority of Chinese,” he lamented.
Ambassador Defa went on to emphasize how important Chinese businesses are to Ghana’s infrastructure growth.
Many of your projects are constructed by Chinese firms. Chinese businesses are in charge of building your ports, roads, etc. “Are any ordinary Ghanaians aware of this?” he inquired.
It is anticipated that his comments will intensify the already contentious public discussion on foreign intervention in Ghana’s illicit mining industry and the government’s enforcement actions.
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com
