Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, George Mireku Duker, has led a special operation made up of military and police personnel to clampdown on illegal miners popularly called galamsey in at Birim North district of the Eastern Region.
The special operation follows several distress calls from locals in the mining communities to the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.
The Deputy Minister who could not hide his disappointment said the fight to flashed out illegality in the mining sector is a collective one and should not be seen as a fight for the government alone.
At one of the galamsey site, the illegal miners have diverted the pra river to their mining site to aid in their operations. More than 19 Mining equipment popularly called changfan were burnt by security personnel. Mr Duker said government’s onslaught on illegal mining continues.
He lamented the hard-heartedness of the illegal miners and chided them for breaking the laws with impunity.
The Deputy Minister warned that government’s fight against illegal mining is in full swing and that the seven suspects will be prosecuted to serve as deterrent to others.
He added that like every Ghanaian he is concerned with the continuous degradation of forest reserves and water bodies.
The Deputy Minister said the crackdown on illegal mining is going to continue until the government and Ghanaians are satisfied with the state of our water bodies.
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“It’s very worrying that Ghanaians are drinking from diverted water that has been polluted by mercury. Farmers are also complaining that their farms are being destroyed. The Pra River has been diverted and polluted and I believe its time for all Ghanaians to come on board to help fight it. We cannot fight it alone. All hands must be on deck to fight illegal mining.
“I’m happy the security apparatus is helping us and I’m calling on all Ghanaians must be alert and help fight this. These people are going to be prosecuted and we are going to continue unabated,” he said.
By: Felix Cofie.
