TIG Post

Tag: Galamsey

  • ‘NPP’s galamsey fight a scam; battle has already been lost’ – NDC

    The National Democratic Congress (NDC) says the Akufo-Addo government has failed woefully in the fight against illegal mining (galamsey).

    The party describes the measures and strategies put in place by government to fight galamsey as a clear deception.

    Speaking at a press conference at the NDC headquarters in Accra, National Communications Officer for NDC, Sammy Gyamfi alleged that some members of the NPP and government are behind galamsey in the country.

    “The so-called fight against galamsey by the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia/NPP government is a scam and has been a lost battle from day one. This is because, there has never been any genuine commitment or political will on the part of the President to combat the menace.”

    “President Akufo-Addo has proven to be a leader who has specialized in talk without backing same with deeds. Today, our beloved country stands at a cross-road of unprecedented economic mess and unprecedented environmental degradation under the watch of President Akufo-Addo and Alhaji Bawumia,” he said.

    Sammy Gyamfi at the press conference further slammed the president and the Minister of Lands and Natural Resource, Samuel Abu Jinapor over the galamsey menace and accused them of “shifting the blame to the chieftaincy institution.”

    “This latest attempt by the Akufo-Addo government to blame the failed “galamsey” fight on chiefs and community leaders is shameful, to say the least and must be condemned in no uncertain terms.”

    “It is about time President Akufo-Addo understood the important duties of the high office he currently occupies. He is the President of the Republic and the Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed forces. As President, he has authority and control over the security services and coercive powers of State.”

    “The mineral resources of the country are vested in him in trust for the people. And therefore he has the ultimate responsibility to ensure compliance with the mineral and mining laws of the country and the prosecution of those who breach same. More importantly, only he has the power to hire and fire appointees of his who engage in illegal mining. No attempt to shift or share the blame for his failed “Galamsey” fight will wash.”

     

  • Provide evidence Wontumi is doing galamsey – President of National House Chiefs dares Ghanaians

    The President of the National House of Chiefs, Ogyeahohoo Yaw Gyebi II, has dared Ghanaians to make available evidence that proves that the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Chairman Wontumi, is involved in illegal mining, also known as galamsey.

    In his view, President Akufo-Addo can only act when there’s sufficient evidence that his appointees are involved in illegal mining activities.

    On September 30, 2022, the Minerals Commission issued a statement asking Akonta Mining, a company owned by Chairman Wontumi, to stop mining operations in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve, describing the activities of the company as illegal.

    But critics have said that the chiefs in the area should have rather asked President Nana Akufo-Addo to punish Chairman Wontumi over his involvement in the galamsey activities.

    Reacting to the claims, the President of the National House of Chiefs, Ogyeahohoo Yaw Gyebi II, argued that traditional authorities do not operate on rumours.

    He however stated that persons with concrete evidence to back the claims should make it available for the necessary actions to be taken on them.

    “I have heard that Wontumi is doing galamsey. Whether it is true or not, I don’t know and I don’t have any evidence, so how do I tell the president about Wontumi in such a forum or expect me to speak about an issue on national television when I don’t have any facts or direct evidence on Wontumi’s activities?

    “So, if you have the evidence or anyone has evidence that Wontumi is into galamsey, make it available to the president and he will act on it,” he told Morning Show host of Kumasi-based Oyerepa TV, Kwesi Parker-Wilson.

    Ogyeahohoo Yaw Gyebi II also cautioned chiefs against engaging in illegal mining.

    He insisted that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has their full support in arresting and prosecuting persons involved in the act in spite of their status in the society.

    “The chiefs have been warned against the practice because we have asked the President to deal with anyone who is involved, whether a chief, a politician or whoever must be arrested to curb the menace,” he added.

  • Illegal mining, sale of cattle in Ghana, possible funding source for terrorists – Adib Saani

    Adib Saani, the executive director of the Jatikay Center for Human Security and Peace Building, has encouraged Ghana’s security forces to investigate the possibility that terrorist and jihadist organisations operating in the West African region may be raising money in Ghana.

    He asserts that there is a strong likelihood that terrorist organisations are already selling livestock and indulging in illegal mining (galamsey) in Ghana’s northern regions in order to support their operations.

    In an interview with GhanaWeb, Adib, a security analyst, added that the re-arrest of a prominent Fulani Imam, Sheikh Dukere, who was reported to be the emergency contact of five terrorists killed in Burkina Faso, indicates that there might be terrorists who have passed through Ghana or are currently living in the country.

    “His (Sheikh Dukere’s) arrest is significant because it tells us a lot about the presence of alleged militants in Ghana. The probability that they are in Ghana is extremely high.

    “The possibility that there is a sleeper cell in Ghana recruiting Ghanaians is also very high. And the possibility that they are organizing or planning something against our interest in Ghana is very high.

    “And we also need to look at the sale of cattle. It is a potentially huge source of income for militants. The terrorists bring in cattle which they steal from neighbouring countries and export to Ghana to be sold by their agents, who then send back the monies realized to these militants.

    “We also need to look at the gold mines, especially in the north. It is a source of revenue for these terrorist groups. The possibility that terrorists have infiltrated the mining sites is very high,” he said.

    According to a Joy News report, Sheikh Osman Dukere was arrested for the second time in Ghana by National Security, together with 12 of his followers on Saturday, October 1, 2022.

    Although the reason for his arrest has not been disclosed, the Imam was arrested in 2019 with 20 of his disciples when he was accused of having links with a jihadist group in Burkina Faso.

    The first arrest was made after the security operatives in Burkina Faso informed the National Security of Ghana that Imam Dukuri was the emergency contact of 5 jihadists it had killed in a gunfight.

     

  • PLAYBACK: NDC speak on illegal mining

    The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) held a press conference to discuss the incessant illegal mining activities happening in the country.

    The presser was moderated by the party’s Communications Director Sammy Gyamfi.

    This comes after President Akufo-Addo engaged the National House of Chiefs at Manhyia in the Ashanti Region over the menace that has destroyed several water bodies and forest reserves.

    Below is the livestream:

  • Decentralise fight against illegal mining – Small Scale Miners Association

     

    The Concerned Small Scale Miners Association believes that the fight against illegal mining can be won if the government takes action beyond expressing its commitment to it.

    The President of the Concerned Small Scale Miners Association, Michael Peprah, said government officials involved in the activity must be held accountable.

    “We believe that the fight can only be won if we decentralise the fight to the district level, and a lot of DCEs have come out to be accomplices in this galamsey problem.”

    “It is not going to be easy, but I don’t believe in words. No matter what it is, we can still salvage the problem,” he said.

    President Akufo-Addo on Wednesday held closed-door meetings with the National House of Chiefs and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives over the grave destruction caused by illegal mining.

    The President reiterated his resolve to ending the menace while charging the traditional authorities to support the government.

    While speaking to MMDCEs, for instance, President Akufo-Addo said that he will not shield any government official found complicit in galamsey activities.

    “I ask all of you to join hands in the fight against illegal mining. We have to win that fight, to protect our heritage for the next generation.”

     

  • Galamsey crisis: ‘Godfathers’ won’t disown their own child – Franklin Cudjoe taunts chiefs

    President of IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe says it is unlikely Traditional Authorities will discontinue their interests in an entreprise they benefit from despite Akufo-Addo meeting them over the galamsey menace.

    President Akufo-Addo says the protection of the lands against illegal small-scale mining also known as galamsey should be the responsibility of the traditional rulers and the government.

    Addressing the House of Chiefs at the Ashanti regional capital Kumasi on Wednesday, October 5, 2022 President Akufo-Addo indicated that ownership of the lands rests with both the government and chiefs hence protecting it should be a collective one.

    “80 percent of the lands in this country continue to be under your custody, much of it having been acquired through the blood and sacrifices of your ancestors. The remainder of 20 percent which I hold in trust of the people of Ghana, derived from state acquisition from you.

    “What this means is that ultimately, the welfare of the state of the lands is our joint responsibility, although by statute the minerals in the soil belong to the President in trust for the people,” the President explained.

    He also pleaded for the support of the chiefs in applying stringent measures to curb the galamsey menace in the country.

    Commenting on Akufo-Addo’s meeting with the House of Chiefs over the galamsey menace, Cudjoe who described the traditional rulers as the godfathers of galamsey said they[Chiefs] have a vested interest in the entreprise hence do not share the same sentiments with the President on the national crusade against illegal mining.

    “Galamsey just got another bad name today. The godfathers assembled to disown their own child but will continue benefitting from its existence,” he wrote in a Facebook post.

  • We’re helping farmers to shun exchanging cocoa farms for galamsey – COCOBOD

    The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) says it is rolling out a number of interventions to ensure that, cocoa farmers do not lose their farmlands to illegal small-scale mining, otherwise known as galamsey.

    It comes on the back of concerns that several factors are pushing cocoa farmers to exchange farmlands for illegal mining, thereby threatening the cultivation and production of cocoa in the country.

    Speaking on The Point of View on Citi TV, the Director of Public Affairs at COCOBOD, Fiifi Boafo, said among other things, the Board is assisting the farmers legally.

    “COCOBOD is sponsoring a law to take into consideration what actually goes into the farm and the true value of it so that anyone moving in to take a cocoa farm and operating mining illegally there will have to pay the true value of the farm and this will serve as a disincentive”, he said.

    He thus encouraged cocoa farmers to seek support from COCOBOD when faced with the challenge.

    “The farmers do not want to give out these farms but with their level of exposure to go to court and resources not available to them, they are handicapped. That is why they give in. Our sensitization is ongoing, and I think that it has helped with that realization that, this is not the way to go. We are also giving the farmers legal representation when they fall on us for support.”

    Mr. Boafo admitted that the producer price of cocoa ought to be increased to cushion farmers, but rejected suggestions the low cocoa price in Ghana is contributing to the exchange of farmlands for galamsey.

    He disclosed that, farmers are selling farms between GH¢10,000 and GH¢25,000, but quickly cautioned farmers to desist from going into such paltry deals.

    “The remuneration for cocoa farmers can be improved. In as much as the farmers’ income can be improved, I do not believe in the idea that based on economies of scale, that is why the farmers are giving out their farms. Sometimes it is out of ignorance and the wish to get things immediately without thinking about the effects of it”, he stressed.

    The COCOBOD Public Affairs Director also stated that some traditional authorities are coercing farmers to give out farmlands.

    “There are some traditional authorities who are actually aiding this because they tell farmers they are owners of the land, so it should be given back to them because they [chiefs] are being enticed by illegal miners. So they want to get the money quickly and eject these people from the land.”

  • You have all the power; why meet chiefs, MMDCEs who are powerless – Kofi Bentil to Akufo-Addo

    Senior Vice President of IMANI Africa, Kofi Bentil, has said that President Akufo-Addo’s meeting with Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) and chiefs on the fight against illegal small-scale mining (‘galamsey’) will have no impact.

    According to him, the meeting will have no effect because the president has all the powers needed to fight the menace but has chosen not to use same.

    Speaking in a Joy News Interview monitored by GhanaWeb on Wednesday (October 5), Kofi Bentil added that the president organised the meeting just to show that he is doing something in the fight against ‘galamsey’.

    “It (the meeting) will not make any difference. It is the president that has all the power. So, when you have the power to do what you need to do and you go round suggesting that you are seeking the assistance of other people, who do not have any power or don’t have any real power to deal with the matters, it is just window dressing.

    “I think he wants to show some activity. Activity is not necessarily progress. Unfortunately, I don’t think it is going to yield anything,” he said.

    Kofi Bentil further stated that chiefs and MMDCEs whom the president met might be involved in ‘galamsey’ and they will not be putting in the needed efforts or help with the needed information to stop it.

    He added that the president needs to call for a state of emergency if he truly wants to stop ‘galamsey’.

    “That is why again I go to the call of Occupy Ghana to impose a state of emergency. The president can actually impose a state of emergency and go to Parliament even after the fact or can go to Parliament and request that it should be imposed now. If he doesn’t do it then he doesn’t want to do it because he can do it,” he said.

    Meanwhile, President Akufo-Addo, during his meeting with chiefs and MMDCEs in Kumasi, urged chiefs across the country to get themselves involved in the fight against illegal small-scale mining since they are the custodians of lands in the country.

    “80 percent of the lands in this country continue to be under your custody, much of it having been acquired through the blood and sacrifices of your ancestors. The remainder of 20 percent which I hold in trust of the people of Ghana, derived from state acquisition from you.

    “What this means is that ultimately, the welfare of the state of the lands is our joint responsibility, although by statute the minerals in the soil belong to the president in trust for the people,” he noted.

  • ‘Successful galamsey fight requires collaborative national effort’ President Akufo-Addo

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has reiterated his commitment to working hand-in-hand with Chiefs, traditional rulers and all stakeholders in the fight against illegal mining (galamsey).

    According to President Akufo-Addo, “it is obvious that, if we are to win the fight, you and I have to take the lead to collaborate closely to do so. That is why I am here today.”

    Addressing the National House of Chiefs on Wednesday, (October 5, 2022), the President noted that 80 percent of the lands Ghana continue to be under the custody of Chiefs, whereas the remainder of 20 percent is held in trust by the President.

    What this means, he said is that, ultimately, the welfare of the state of the lands is the joint responsibility of Chiefs and the President, although, by statute, the minerals in the soil belong to the President in trust for the people.

    “Historically, we discharged that responsibility well. Even though, for centuries, we have been a mining nation, mining did not pose a threat to the health of our environment and water bodies. The rules that you put in place for mining ensured that the sanctity of our lands remained intact, and our water bodies remained unpolluted. Tragically, in the modern era, that is no longer the case. And that is why I have come to you today to talk about how, together, we can repair this dramatic situation,” he said.

    President Akufo-Addo indicated that, since he took office, on January 7, 2017, he has made it a central feature of his presidency to lead in the efforts to rid the country of the menace of galamsey, with a firm commitment made in his inaugural speech on the matter.

    “It has not been easy, it has not been popular, and we have not got the immediate results that I was looking for. Indeed, in the last elections of 2020, my stance on the issue cost my party and I significant losses in the mining communities. It turned out that my statement that I was putting my presidency on the line in the fight against galamsey was neither bombast nor recklessness. It was the simple truth,” he said.

    The President continued, “We have tried many initiatives, including that of the Community Mining Scheme, and the establishment of a new legal regime for dealing with the perpetrators of this phenomenon, which has imposed severe sanctions on those, Ghanaians and foreigners, convicted of illegal mining. Still, we have not won the fight.”

    In seeking further assistance from the National House of Chiefs in addressing the galamsey phenomenon, he noted that taking partisan political interests out of the fight against galamsey is one way forward.

    “It can only succeed if it is a truly national battle, which no one seeks to exploit for political gain, as we saw in the last election. The progress of our country depends on all of us, all citizens of Ghana, all Fellow Ghanaians, pulling together to defeat this existential threat to our future,” he added.

    Reiterating the stance of Government, President Akufo-Addo noted that “we are not against mining, but we cannot accept mining in a manner that risks destroying our country. Our nation has always been a mining nation. Indeed, in the 15th century, when the first Europeans, the Portuguese, came to our shores, they called the first European-influenced town, Elmina, meaning ‘the mine’ in Portuguese, because, from their ships as they approached our shores, that is the activity they saw our people engaged in. it is not surprising that, in colonial times, we were called the Gold Coast.”

    He, thus, asked all Ghanaians to join hands with him in the fight against illegal mining, in order to bring an end to the devastation of the Ghanaian landscape, and the pollution of our water bodies.

    “We have to win that fight to keep our environment clean, and protect our heritage for our descendants, as you did in the past,” he added.

    Source: Graphiconline.com

  • Pay us economic, sitting and traveling allowances – House of Chiefs to Akufo-Addo

    The National House of Chiefs has called on President Akufo-Addo to pay them economic, sitting and traveling allowances amidst current economic hardship.

    President of the National House of Chiefs, Ogyeahohoo Yaw Gyebi II who spoke on behalf of the chiefs when they gathered at Manhyia on Wednesday, October 5, to address illegal mining activities in the country said government needed to pay the outstanding quarterly allowances owed them.

    “We urgently appeal to your government to pay Nananom’s outstanding quarterly allowances. We also demand economic, sitting and traveling allowances to reflect present-day economic conditions.”

    Ghana’s economy has fared badly in the last couple of months with economists pointing to record high inflation rates, fuel price hikes, and the Cedi depreciation as the basis for their claim.

    Government has consistently blamed the situation on the ravages of Covid-19 and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war but has assured that it is implementing measures to mitigate the impact such as seeking an IMF programme in the interim.

    Amidst the downturn, Ghanaians have lamented the impact the economic situation is having on their cost of living.

    In view of this assertion, Ogyeahohoo Yaw Gyebi II has urged Russia, being led by President Vladimir Putin to cease fire in the ongoing Ukraine invasion.

  • We’re engaged in community mining, not galamsey – Asamang Tamfoe residents claim

    The chiefs and people of Asamang Tamfoe, a farming community near Anyinam in the Atiwa East District of the Eastern Region, have dismissed claims that the youth in the town are involved in illegal mining (galamsey).

    At a press conference at Asamang Tamfoe on Monday, the Benkumhene of the town, Nana Boakye Darkwa, said the area had been licensed for a community mining programme which the government launched in June this year.

    Shooting indiscriminately

    On Thursday, September 29, 2022, members of the Okyeman Environmental Taskforce and the Kibi Divisional Police Command raided the town and that led to indiscriminate shootings during which some of the young men sustained gunshot wounds and had to be treated at the hospital.

    Clad in red bands

    Nana Darkwa, who is also the Chairman of the government’s community mining committee, clad in red band and surrounded by other members of the community, including the youth of the town all of whom were clad in red apparell, said it was unfortunate that the chief of Apapam, Osabarima Okogyeaman Apagya Ofori, should lead the Okyeman Taskforce to direct its members to shoot at innocent young men in the town who were engaged in licensed community mining but not illegal mining.

    We will face them squarely

    “If they come back to the community, we will face them squarely”, the Benkumhene of Asamang Tamfoe indicated.

    Nana Darkwa stressed that if the Apapamhene and the taskforce were actually clamping down on illegal miners, they should have presented themselves to the Benkumhene of the town to announce their presence and intentions.

    The Benkumhene pointed out that they failed to do so but rather started shooting indiscriminately leading to many of the youth sustaining gunshot wounds.

    He also expressed displeasure with the involvement of the Kyebi Divisional Police Commander, Superintendent Magnus Reindorf Sam, who led the Okyeman Taskforce and called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare, to immediately remove the commander from the area because he did not do the right thing.

    Most of the youth in the town, who were engaged in government’s community mining, said they were for peace that was why they decided not to physically confront the police and the taskforce.

    According to the youth, the community mining concept was the initiative of the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, and so the President should call the Okyeman Taskforce and the Kyebi Divisional Police Commander to order.

    Background

    The Kibi Divisional Police Command together with the Okyeman Environmental Taskforce on Thursday, September 27, 2022 undertook a joint operation and arrested 24 young men suspected to be engaging in illegal mining at Asamang Tamfoe.

    The taskforce seized some mining equipment, including excavators.

    Source: Graphiconline.com

  • Successful galamsey fight requires collaborative, national effort – Akufo-Addo

    In the fight against galamsey, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has reaffirmed his commitment to collaborating with chiefs, traditional leaders, and other stakeholders.

    President Akufo-Addo asserted: “It is apparent that you and I must take the initiative and work closely together to do so if we are to win the struggle.
    I am present today for that reason.

    On Wednesday, October 5, 2022, the president addressed the National House of Chiefs. He stated that chiefs continue to be in charge of eighty percent (80%) of Ghana’s territory, while the remaining twenty percent (20%) is held in trust by the president.

    What this means, he said, is that ultimately the welfare and state of the land is a joint responsibility of chiefs and the president – although, by statute, minerals in the soil belong to the president in trust for the people.

    “Historically, we discharged that responsibility well. Even though for centuries we have been a mining nation, mining did not pose a threat to the health of our environment and water-bodies.

    “The rules that you put in place for mining ensured that the sanctity of our lands remained intact and our water-bodies remained unpolluted. Tragically, in the modern era that is no longer the case. And that is why I have come to you today to talk about how, together, we can repair this dramatic situation,” he said.

    President Akufo-Addo indicated that since he took office on 7th January 2017, he has made it a central feature of his presidency to lead the efforts to rid the country of the galamsey menace, with a firm commitment made in his inaugural speech on the matter.

    “It has not been easy, it has not been popular, and we have not got the immediate results that I was looking for. Indeed, in the last elections of 2020 my stance on the issue cost my party and I significant losses in the mining communities.

    “It turned out that my statement that I was putting my presidency on the line in the fight against galamsey was neither bombast nor recklessness. It was the simple truth,” he said.

    The president continued: “We have tried many initiatives, including that of the Community Mining Scheme and establishing a new legal regime for dealing with the perpetrators of this phenomenon – which has imposed severe sanctions on those Ghanaians and foreigners convicted of illegal mining. Still, we have not won the fight”.

    In seeking further assistance from the National House of Chiefs in addressing the galamsey phenomenon, he noted that taking partisan political interests out of the fight against galamsey is one way forward.

    “It can only succeed if it is a truly national battle that no one seeks to exploit for political gain, as we saw in the last election. The progress of our country depends on all of us, all citizens of Ghana, all Fellow Ghanaians, pulling together to defeat this existential threat to our future,” he added.

    Reiterating the stance of government, President Akufo-Addo noted that: “We are not against mining, but we cannot accept mining in a manner that risks destroying our country. Our nation has always been a mining nation.

    Indeed, in the 15th century when the first Europeans, the Portuguese, came to our shores they called the first European-influenced town Elmina – meaning ‘the mine’ in Portuguese – because from their ships as they approached our shores that is the activity they saw our people engaged in. It is not surprising that in colonial times we were called the Gold Coast”.

    He thus asked all Ghanaians to join hands with him in the fight against illegal mining, in order to bring an end to devastation of the Ghanaian landscape and pollution of our water-bodies.

    “We have to win the fight to keep our environment clean and protect our heritage for our descendants, as you did in the past,” he added.

  • Only real action will help us win galamsey fight, not words – Concerned Small Scale Miners Association

    The Concerned Small Scale Miners Association says the fight against illegal mining cannot be won with mere words.

    The Association insists only a concerted effort can help the government to end the menace.

    According to the President of the Concerned Small Scale Miners Association, Michael Peprah, Ghanaians will believe and support the fight if government officials involved in the illegality are held accountable.

    “We believe that the fight can only be won if we decentralise the fight to the district level, and a lot of DCEs have come out to be accomplices in this galamsey problem.”

    “It is not going to be easy, but I don’t believe in words. No matter what it is, we can still salvage the problem,” he said.

    Only real action will help us win galamsey fight, not words - Concerned Small Scale Miners Association
    Galamsey site in Ghana

    President Akufo-Addo on Wednesday [October 5] held closed-door meetings with the National House of Chiefs and Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives over the canker.

    At the said engagement, President Akufo-Addo asked them to help him end the menace.

    He also assured that he will not shield any appointee found culpable.

    Only real action will help us win galamsey fight, not words - Concerned Small Scale Miners Association
    Michael Peprah, President of Small Scale Miners Association
    “I am not here to threaten anybody, but I want you to know that this is a struggle that I take very seriously and I will not be in a position to protect anybody against who evidence is brought up about their complicity in this matter…I am a lawyer and I always deal with facts and when the facts are brought against you, you will be invited to comment on them.

    Only real action will help us win galamsey fight, not words - Concerned Small Scale Miners Association
    President Akufo-Addo
    “If the response is not satisfactory, you can guess to yourself what the consequences will be,” the President said.

  • President’s speech did not offer any new direction in fighting galamsey – Daryl Bosu

    Deputy National Director of Arocha Ghana, an environmental non-governmental organization, Daryl Bosu says President Akufo-Addo’s statement during a meeting with the National House of Chiefs to discuss effects of the ‘galamsey’ menace offers no new direction for the fight against the menace.

    President Akufo-Addo on Wednesday met members of the National House of Chiefs on illegal mining.

    The President stood by his declaration to put his presidency on the line in the fight against illegal mining popularly known as ‘galamsey’. He also implored the chiefs to take out any partisanship interests in the fight against the menace.

    The President noted that the battle is nowhere near being won despite all the efforts he and his government has put into fighting it.

    “We have tried many initiatives, including that of the Community Mining Scheme, and the establishment of a new legal regime for dealing with the perpetrators of this phenomenon, which has imposed severe sanctions on those Ghanaians and foreigners convicted of illegal mining. Still, we have not won the fight,” he said.

    Reacting to these comments, Mr. Bosu said President Akufo-Addo’s statement offered no home.

    “I must say that I struggle to really get any new action from what the President said. I listened to what the President was saying and it takes us back to 2017, most of it. Frankly, I am struggling unless maybe coming from the closed door meetings, we are going to see some more pragmatic action to address these menace but until then I did not really get anything new…there is nothing new for us here,” he said on JoyNews’ The Pulse on Wednesday, October 5, 2022.

    According to him, the President’s comment rather gives the notion that government admits to its failure in the fight against the canker.

    “I think what we are getting from the President is his admission that the fight against ‘galamsey’ has failed…for me, I feel it is going over the same issue over and over again without anything new,” he told Blessed Sogah.

  • Let IGP lead the galamsey fight – Prof. Charles Marfo to government

    Prof. Charles Marfo, Provost of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology’s (KNUST) College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CoHSS), has echoed the clarion call for the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare to be entrusted with the fight against illegal mining popularly known as galamsey in the country, Purefmonline.com reports.

    The former President of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) in an interview with Kwame Adinkrah on Kumasi-based Pure FM stated that the IGP has shown competence through his high-class tactical abilities and has over the period exerted the qualities needed to garner gains concerning the leadership responsibilities required to combat the galamsey menace.

    According to him, Government’s efforts to suppress galamsey activities so far do fall short of rewards and punishments modalities which he describes as a key ingredient to sustain the fight.

    He stated that the IGP has matured with such potential to tighten the loopholes and gaps in the galamsey fight processes.

    “Kwame, the last time, I heard you in one of the viral videos recommending the IGP, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare as the man befitting for the galamsey fight job. I think so too.

    Let us look at this, for instance, he was denigrated for introducing the system where competent relatives replace officers who die in the line of duty, but Kwame, what has been the overall feedback and the attitude of our officers after this system was introduced?

    These are the rewards and punishments I am talking about. When I commit myself to the nation and I am gone, what happens to my family?”

    “We need a formidable system to cater for rewards, benefits or emoluments of front liners (security personnel) commissioned to these illegal mining areas.

    Such modalities will ingrain patriotism and uncompromising commitment toward the national course.

    This and many more I think Dampare is likely to bring on board if he’s left to lead the charge in the galamsey fight.”

    “The illegal mining sector has tendencies to corrupt those security officers ordained to fight galamsey. Without any modalities, when these military officers are pushed into the forests and see these miners living lavishly, what do we expect them to do?” He quizzed.

    The KNUST CoHSS Provost further re-echoed his description of Dr. Dampare as a brilliant policy maker, referring to his latest instituted rewarding systems in the Police Service; an emergency medical fund and replacement of officers who die in the line of duty with the deceased qualified family member into the Police force.

    Such tactful packages, according to him, will eliminate diabolic thoughts questioning the essence of committing oneself to the success of a national need.

  • Take out partisan political interests out of galamsey fight – Akufo-Addo begs House of Chiefs

    President Akufo-Addo has made a fervent appeal to members of the National House of Chiefs to eschew partisan political interests while collaborating with the government to end the menace of illegal mining.

    The president made this request during his opening remark at a meeting with the National House of Chiefs to discuss the fight against galamsey.

    “There are many requests I intend to make on you during our behind closed doors session of our meeting. But one of the most significant which I have to make now is to seek your assistance to take partisan political interests out of the fight against galamsey. It can only succeed if it is a truly national battle which no one seeks to exploit for political gain as we saw in our last election.

    “The progress of our country depends on all of us; all citizens of Ghana, all fellow Ghanaians pulling together to defeat this existential threat to our future,” the president said during the meeting held on Wednesday, October 5, 2022.

    The president noted the several initiatives adopted by his government to end the menace while emphasising the need for traditional leaders to collaborate with the government in the fight against illegal mining.

    “We have tried many initiatives including that of the community mining scheme and the establishment of a new legal regime for dealing with the perpetrators of this phenomenon which has imposed severe sanctions on those Ghanaians and foreigners convicted of illegal mining, still we have not won the fight. It is obvious that if we are to win the fight you and I have to take the lead to collaborate closely to do so and that is why I am here today,” he said.

    The meeting with the traditional leaders was convened at the request of the president to discuss ways to fight illegal mining, which has escalated in magnitude over the past years.

    This is despite the promise made by the president at his inauguration in 2017 and the various campaigns launched by his government over the period.

    The growing impact of galamsey is proving a threat to several water and forest bodies across the country.

    This has led to calls on the government to adopt more radical efforts in the galamsey fight.

     

  • Akonta Mining saga: Wontumi has been set up – Prof. Charles Marfo

    Provost of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CoHSS) of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Prof. Charles Marfo has asserted that the Akonta Mining scandal is nothing less than a feign attempt to conceal the real galamsey culprits in the country, Purefmonline.com reports.

    The KNUST CoHSS’ Provost in interaction with Kwame Adinkrah on Kumasi-based Pure FM emphasized that, the owner of Akonta Mining Company Limited, Benard Antwi Boasiako aka Chairman Wontumi, having flaunted his wealth and his mining exploits blatantly in the past has in an unfortunate circumstance been set up as the galamsey poster-boy to cover the high-ranking government officials behind the practice.

    Prof. Charles Marfo in commiserating with Chairman Wontumi maintained his disdain for the Ashanti regional NPP’s Chairman’s conduct in the public space.

    “Everybody knows that I don’t like Chairman Wontumi, especially on how he conducts himself in the public space. His utterances and his constant display of his so-called mining acquired wealth in our faces,” he said.

    However, in respect of this saga, I think they set him up. They put him there just to showcase his already mortified face while the real masterminds are working underground.”

    “Why has he not been apprehended for the despicable damage caused to the environment yet?”

    “This mischief is just a decoy to hide the hidden coaches who are the real galamsey players.”

    The real scapegoats are not from among any of these unmasked personalities tagged with galamsey, instead, they are at the top manning the affairs of governance.”

    “Why will the Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Samuel Abu Jinapor decide to even grant consideration to Akonta Mining’s request for licence to mine in a forest reserve when that place has been clearly declared a red zone?”

    How can you do prospecting in a forest reserve? A reserve?

    The application should not have warranted any engagement from the Ministry at all.

    These inactions and occurrences together inflate the idea that there are hidden hands in government really fancying the galamsey practice.” Prof. Charles Marfo told Kwame Adinkrah on Pure FM.

    Background

    The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources through the Forestry Commission has halted the activities of Akonta Mining Limited’s operations in the Nimiri Tano forest reserve in the Amenfi West Municipality of the Western Region.

    A statement from the ministry said, while the mining company had a lease to undertake mining operations in some parts of Samreboi, the company had no mineral right to undertake any mining operations in the Tano Nimiri forest reserve.

    The Minerals Commission of Ghana in a subsequent press release reiterated that Akonta Mining Limited has no mining lease, mineral right, and/or permit to undertake any mining operations in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve or any other reserve.

    According to the Commission, the mineral leases granted to Akonta Mining Limited fell outside the Tano Nimiri Reserve, and thus documents purporting to indicate otherwise should be treated with the contempt they deserve.

    The owner of the company who doubles as the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has however refuted claims of wrongdoing.

    “I am appealing to them to use the law. They should do their investigations, and we should let the law work.”

    “I want to tell the public that I am not into galamsey.”

    “I have a large scale company which Akonta mining is under. All the required documents I have, I will make available. I am not into galamsey,” he said on Wontumi TV.

  • Saying I will put my presidency on the line against galamsey was not out of recklessness – Akufo-Addo

    President Akufo-Addo has emphasised that he spoke the absolute truth when he announced his commitment to fighting illegal mining in Ghana.

    According to the president, the evidence of truth in his statement was apparent when his government’s fight against galamsey cost himself and the New Patriotic Party during his quest for re-election in 2020.

    “Since I took office on January 7th, 2017, nearly six years ago, I have made it a central feature of my presidency to lead in the fight to rid our country of this menace, which we all now call galamsey. Indeed, it was an important aspect of my inaugural address that day. It has not been easy; it has not been popular and we have not gotten the immediate results that I was looking for.

    “Indeed, in the last election of 2020, my stance on the issue cost my party and I significant losses in the mining communities. It turned out that my statement that I was putting my presidency on the line in the fight against galamsey was neither bumbazed nor reckless. It was the simple truth,” the president said when he met with members of the National House of Chiefs in Kumasi on Wednesday, October 5, 2022.

    The meeting with the traditional leaders was convened at the request of the president to discuss ways to fight illegal mining, which has escalated in magnitude over the past years.

    This is despite the promise made by the president at his inauguration in 2017 and the various campaigns launched by his government over the period.

    The growing impact of galamsey is proving a threat to several water and forest bodies across the country.

    This has led to calls on the government to adopt more radical efforts in the galamsey fight.

  • My determination to fight ‘galamsey’ cost NPP some votes in 2020 Election – Akufo-Addo

    President Akufo-Addo has refuted suggestions that his government is not committed to the fight against illegal small-scale mining (‘galamsey’).

    According to Akufo-Addo, his government has been committed to the fight against the menace since his first day in office and its determination to curb it even cost his party; the New Patriotic Party (NPP) some votes in the 2020 General Elections.

    The president, who made these remarks at a meeting with the National House of Chiefs and some Municipal Metropolitan and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) in Kumasi, intimated that the votes he and his party lost showed that he really put his presidency on the line to fight ‘galamsey’.

    “Since I took office on January 7th, 2017, nearly six years ago, I have made it a central feature of my presidency to lead in the fight to rid our country of this menace, which we all now call galamsey. Indeed, it was an important aspect of my inaugural address that day. It has not been easy; it has not been popular and we have not gotten the immediate results that I was looking for.

    “Indeed, in the last election of 2020, my stance on the issue cost my party and I significant losses in the mining communities. It turned out that my statement that I was putting my presidency on the line in the fight against galamsey was neither bumbazed nor reckless. It was the simple truth,” he said.

    Akufo-Addo also urged chiefs across the country to get themselves in the fight against illegal small-scale mining since they are the custodians of lands in the country.

    “80 percent of the lands in this country continue to be under your custody, much of it having been acquired through the blood and sacrifices of your ancestors. The remainder of 20 percent which I hold in trust of the people of Ghana, derived from state acquisition from you.

    “What this means is that ultimately, the welfare of the state of the lands is our joint responsibility, although by statute the minerals in the soil belong to the president in trust for the people,” he noted.

  • ‘Galamsey’ poses an existential threat to our future – Akufo-Addo

    President Akufo-Addo says the activities of illegal mining, popularly known as ‘galamsey’ pose an existential threat to the country.

    The President said the menace is a common enemy all Ghanaians must help defeat.

    “The progress of our country depends on all of us, all citizens of Ghana, all fellow Ghanaians pulling together to defeat this existential threat to our future,” he said.

    'Galamsey' poses an existential threat to our future - Akufo-Addo
    President Akufo-Addo

    He made the comments when he addressed the National House of Chiefs on the issue on Wednesday.

    At the same meeting, President Akufo-Addo urged the chiefs to take partisanship out of the ‘galamsey’ fight.

    According to him, the fight is a national battle and must precede all other interests which he stressed is the only way the fight can be won.

    'Galamsey' poses an existential threat to our future - Akufo-Addo
    President Akufo-Addo

    “There are many things I intend to beg of you during the close door session of our meeting, but one of the most significant which I have to state now is to seek your assistance to take partisan political interest out of the fight against ‘galamsey’.

    “It can only succeed if it’s a truly national battle which no one seeks to exploit for political gains as we saw in the last election,” he urged.

    Meanwhile, he intimated that neither he nor his government is against mining.

    However, what he opposes is irresponsible mining.

    “I have said it before. We are not against mining but we cannot accept mining in a manner that risks destroying our country.”

    Source: Myjoyonline

  • Let’s not politicize galamsey fight – Nana Addo

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo believes the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey can be won if it is not politicized.

    He holds the view that until the menace is treated with a nationalistic approach, the fight against it cannot be won.

    Speaking at a meeting with the National House of Chiefs, the President bemoaned how all efforts to fight galamsey have failed.

    “It is obvious that, if we are to win the fight, you and l have to take the lead to collaborate closely to do so. That is why I am here today. After our meeting, I will also be meeting with the other half of the local government [institutions]-the Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives in the ninety metropolitan, municipal, and district areas across the country, where mining activities take place, to seek their active collaboration.”

    He also called on the chiefs to support government’s effort in dealing with the menace.

    “There are many requests I intend to make of you in the close-door session of our meeting, but one of the most significant, which I have to state now, is to seek your assistance to take partisan political interests out of the fight against galamsey.”

    “It can only succeed if it is a truly national battle, which no one seeks to exploit for political gain, as we saw in the last election.”

    Source: Citinews

  • Kwesi Yankah writes: Dear Ace, the Birim river is gone

    The rivers have been part of our defining features as a nation, our cultural and natural heritage, apart from the huge economic benefits derived.

    Dear Ace Ankomah, let’s continue to think alike, for even though ages apart, you and I have one thing in common: Akim Achiase, where you come from and where I did a year of my basic education (Please don’t ask me in what year).

    I am not an Akim, but I derive part of my schooling therefrom: Akim Ehyiamu, Akim Achiase, Akim Osenase, etc. I am proud of my former student, Gyasi Obeng from Akim Asuom, my late Professor, Boadi from Akim Akropong, Gyimah Boadi from Abirem, etc. The list is endless.

    Today, our Birim river and the pride of my Akim colleagues is gone. And Oh that is home of the President himself, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the great Akim born and his great ancestry.

    The Birim river is gone, suffering a terminal paralysis. Lost to Galamsey. So then what happens to the great appellation of the Akim people: Akyemkwaa a onom Biremu.

    The proud Akim born that drinks of the great Birim river? Today the river is gone. My Dear Ace Ankoma, you are gone. It is a virtual declaration of your non-existence.

    The rivers have been part of our defining features as a nation, our cultural and natural heritage, apart from the huge economic benefits derived. They are sites that have nurtured our great statesmen: the Ofori Attas. They were all Akim Akyemkwaa that derived pride and sustenance from Birim. But where is Birim?

    The Ankobra river is gone too. Amputated by galamsey. The river that nurtured Osagyefo himself. In his autobiography, Kwame Nkrumah refers to the river traversed by his mother, Nyaneba, while he was firmly clutched on her back as a baby. Rivers of Nkroful, Nkrumah’s birthplace are currently flooded with galamsey! A shameful dedication to the great leader!

    But the rivers were also great enough to impart greatness to beneficiaries. The mudfish, even though tiny,

    is arrogant because it lives in the big Firaw (Volta) river, the people of Akwamu would say. And the Ayensu river. We boasted of you. Even in times of drought, you Ayensu overflowed your banks.

    The Volta is not gone; but Pra is at the precipice, raped and dripping in blood; ravaged beyond parental recognition: the site that was a boundary between Asante and the Southern protectorate.

    But Pra is also evocative in Asante history. Even though reminding us all of an unspeakable tragedy, this was converted to strengthen the Asante judicial system of ntam. These great landmarks of our history and heritage are under attack.

    The sovereign nation Ghana is currently under attack from a merciless terrorist within. This is not the time for business as usual, please. If our collective heritage is terminated, so are we as a nation.

    Wanted is the declaration of a state of emergency by the President, to defend our sovereignty as a nation!

    Ace, I am sad; please let’s have lunch one of these days and continue to sing dirges.

    I am going to Duakwa. Please come over.

    DISCLAIMER: Independentghana.com will not be liable for any inaccuracies contained in this article. The views expressed in the article are solely those of the author’s, and do not reflect those of The Independent Ghana

    Source: Prof Kwesi Yankah,Asaase news

  • LIVESTREAMING: Akufo-Addo meets MMDCEs, House of Chiefs to address galamsey

    President Nana Akufo-Addo is engaging the National House of Chiefs and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives to find lasting solutions to the illegal mining activities happening in the country.

    The conference is being held at Manhyia in the Ashanti Region, one of the regions worst hit by illegal mining.

    Among matters to be discussed is quarterly allowance for chiefs.

    This meeting comes at a time when reports have it that some MMDCEs are involved in Illegal mining activities in their jurisdictions

    Illegal mining, also known as “galasmey” has deprived many communities of good drinking water and forest vegetation.

  • ‘Galamsey’: Gov’t must declare State of Emergency in mining areas—OccupyGhana

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has been urged by the pressure group OccupyGhana to swiftly proclaim a State of Emergency in all mining regions of the nation.

    According to a statement released by the Group on Monday, this was the only way the President and his administration could organize the nation’s mining operations and triumph over illegal mining, also known locally as “galamsey,”

    Additionally, it requested President Akufo-Addo to consult the Council of State before issuing a Gazette on the matter.

    “We…, request that you take immediate steps towards declaring a State of Emergency in every mining area in Ghana.

    “By article 31(1) of the Constitution, these steps will be, first, seeking and obtaining the advice of the Council of State and, second, publishing a proclamation of the declaration in the Gazette,” the statement said.

    It also asked Parliament to be recalled from vacation to pass the state of emergency.

    “Considering the gravity of the situation, we fully expect Parliament to agree with the government and provide that the state of emergency should remain for such period as Parliament may determine so that the government can get a grasp of the situation,” it said.

  • Our leaders are either complicit or incompetent – Ken Ashigbey on galamsey

    The Convenor of the Media Coalition Against Illegal Mining, Dr. Ken Ashigbey, says the failure of government to appropriately tackle the galamsey menace might be either because they are complicit in the illegality or they are incompetent.

    According to him, the failure of government to decisively deal with key persons who have been identified as being active participators and facilitators of galamsey in the country is rather telling on the government’s lack of commitment to the galamsey fight.

    He was in particular referring to the recent brouhaha surrounding the activities of Akonta Mining Limited in the Tano Nimri Forest Reserve.

    The company, owned by Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, the NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman and one other, is said to have been mining in the reserve despite a declaration by government that it has not granted any entry permit into the forest reserve.

    While, the Lands and Natural Reseources Minister, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has stated that the activities of the mining firm are in direct breach of Ghana’s laws, no actions by the state have been taken to bring the company and its owners to book.

    Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express, Dr. Ashigbey said government’s actions and inactions in this rather clear illegality shows it is actively aiding and abetting the impunity that has characterised galamsey activities in the country in recent times.

    He noted that as such, the government has no moral right to arrest others for committing the same crime.

    “And to think that as we speak, the IGP nor the Attorney General has not invited Akonta Mining who has self-confessed, you know, they have confessed that they are mining, they have confessed they have leases, but the leases they have are not in the place they’re mining, not in the forest reserve. And as we speak, we have not heard anything about an invitation to these suspected criminals to answer for their crimes.

    “And, you know, Kofi mentioned all the challenges that we’re having. Now Kidney diseases in these communities are on the rise; the turbidity of water has gone way beyond what we were supposed to be using to process water for consumption; our cocoa is under economic warfare, so you have the Chinese who are now beginning to produce cocoa and they are the majority of the foreigners who are involved in the destruction of our farmlands but our leaders are oblivious to it.

    “It is either that they are complicit or are incompetent and in both case they don’t deserve to be where they are,” he said.

    Commenting on the actions and inactions of district and regional authorities as the destruction of the Tano Nimri forest was on-going, he stated that there needs to be a wake-up call for state officials to realise that they are destroying the country.

    “And that’s where I agree so much with Otumfuor on one hand when he talks about holding the District Chief Executives accountable. Why would we not find 2,000 chang fangs sitting on the Offin River when about 50 metres from the Nimri police station you see a factory manufacturing these dredgers and nobody, you know, the District Police Commanders are passing there and they’re not seeing it?

    “How is it possible that 12 football fields have been destroyed in the Tano Nimri Reserve and there’s a Minerals Commission officer in that place, there’s a Forestry Commission person in that particular area. You know, we really need to wake up and smell the coffee that we are destroying our country.

    “So the thing that is happening is that people are seeing people close to power doing these things and nothing happens to them and so no wonder Erastus will see those people by the [river] side and they think that why shouldn’t they mine?

    “So it is really important for all of us as Ghana to wake up and say to our leaders that you cannot continue doing this thing, our lives are beyond risk,” he said.

    Source: Myjoyonline

     

  • Only 2% of cocoa land affected by galamsey – Agric minister

    Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, the Minister of Agriculture, has disclosed that only 2% of cocoa lands have been affected by illegal small-scale mining, galamsey, activities.

    In an interview with Accra-based Joy News’ Ashanti regional correspondent, he said the figure was determined from a COCOBOD study.

    He is, however, concerned about the potentially devastating impact of galamsey, especially on Ghana’s cocoa-related exports.

    “For me, in terms of acreages, it is not much and I have the evidence. COCOBOD did a survey and they are saying that 2% of land under cocoa has been destroyed by galamsey. 2% is nothing.

    “And cocoa is concentrated in the gold belt, so if you extend it to the north in terms of total, it is not much,” he said.

    The Ashanti Region is the hotspot for galamsey activities, a concern that has been raised by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II as recently as over the weekend when he met the US ambassador.

    Galamsey activities have for years now ravaged water bodies, forests and other arable lands across the Ashanti and Eastern regions. This is despite the government’s efforts, including the deployment of military and police contingents, to stamp out the canker.

    The Minister is also concerned about the water pollution that comes with the use of chemicals like cyanide and mercury, which could end up in the food that is produced in these mining areas.

    “What is very important is the water pollution, the cyanide and the other chemicals, mercury which goes into the food chain and ends up in our stomachs, you journalists don’t talk about that, for me that is the most dangerous part,” he stressed.

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is expected to renew the fight against galamsey during a meeting with the National House of Chiefs and Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives at Manhyia.

     

  • Galamsey: ‘We all know those involved but it has become difficult to talk about it because of fear’ – MP

    Member of Parliament for Adansi Asokwa, Kobina Tahir (K.T.) Hammond, has said that persons financing illegal small-scale mining (galamsey) are well known but have not been exposed yet because of fear.

    He intimated that they are not talking about ‘galamsey’ because they know the power of the people involved in the menace, adomonline.com reports.

    “How do these visitors get to know these galamsey towns? Our own people hold their hands and take them to the places to do the illegal mining. We all know those involved but it has become difficult to talk about it because of fear,” the MP is quoted to have said on Asempa FM.

    K.T. Hammond, however, urged the government to start putting in place serious mechanisms to stop the menace because it is becoming very scary.

    “The issue of galamsey is a serious issue and should be looked at. Let’s be up and doing as a government and do the right thing.

    “The government should do more to end the galamsey menace. It is not acceptable any longer. Government should tighten the measures adopted in the galamsey fight,” he said.

    Meanwhile, the United States (US) Ambassador to Ghana, Virginia Palmer, has urged the government of Ghana to put in more effort in the fight against the menace of illegal small-scale mining (galamsey) in the country.

    According to her, Ghana was not making any significant strides in the fight against the menace because only the illegal miners (‘galamseyers’) are arrested while the powerful forces behind them are not touched.

    Virginia Palmer, who made these remarks when she paid a courtesy call on the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, added that if the government fails to take urgent steps to stop ‘galamsey’, the country will be in some serious crisis soon.

    “The galamseyers themselves are people who need to make a living. I think the galamseyers are not active in doing it but the powers behind them are the ones truly responsible for the evils. Indeed, they are wreaking real environmental havoc on your rivers which is having an impact on your cocoa crops. All of these things are going to have really negative consequences on the economy of Ghana,” she said.

  • Akufo-Addo must resign now – Opare Addo on ‘failed’ galamsey fight

    National Youth Organizer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), George Opare Addo, has asked Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to tender his resignation as president of the country.

    He holds the view that the president has failed woefully in his fight against illegal mining otherwise known as galamsey.

    In two separate Twitter post, Opare Addo who is seeking reelection as National Youth Organizer of NDC observed with concern the state of water bodies which has been polluted by illegal miners.

    He suggested that the government ought to be blamed for the state of the water bodies which Nana Akufo-Addo put his presidency on the line to fight the menace.

    “State of rivers in GH now. If this doesn’t provoke you as a young person, then I understand why this gov’t takes us for granted. Resist this gov’t before they plunge this nation into a point of no return. Protest and let your voice be heard, protest, don’t defend,” Opare Addo tweeted on October 3.

    “You claimed to put your presidency on the line to fight the destruction of our environment, yet failed woefully to combat illegal mining. Where’s the honour? Akufo-Addo must resign if he can’t keep his word to solve simple challenges. Resign now, Mr President,” he added.

    Background

    The conversation on galamsey resurfaced following the rearrest of Chinese galamsey kingpin Aisha Huang and her accomplices.

    She has been remanded into police custody as she faces her prosecution. Again, many civil society organizations have expressed concerns over the heavy pollution of water bodies which has compelled the Ghana Water Company Limited to threaten to shut down mining communities.

    Pressure group, Occupy Ghana, has urged President Akufo-Addo to declare a state of emergency in mining areas as the country wage war on illegal activity.

    The President, it will be recalled placed his presidency on the line in the galamsey 2017 however many hold the view that the fight has not been a success as a result of the discoloured nature of water bodies and some top officials found complicit in the fight.

    Nana Akufo-Addo opines that he paid a political price for his fight as he lost votes and in some cases, NPP MPs were unseated in mining areas.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • Galamsey: China is on a path to economically colonize Ghana – Odike

    Founder of the United Progressive Party (UPP), Akwasi Addai Odike, has labelled the menace of illegal mining activity popularly known as galamsey as an ‘environmental terrorism’ which is far worse than the coup d’état in neighbouring Burkina Faso.

    In an interview on Accra based Okay on October 3, he lamented that generations yet unborn will bear the brunt of the havoc galamsey activities are causing.

    He accused the Asian powerhouse, China, of being responsible for the destruction because it wants to economically colonize the country.

    Commenting on reports that European countries could soon ban Ghana’s cocoa bean on the international market, Odike said China was the one that has used cyanide through galamsey activities to displace the country’s as the most preferred on the foreign market.

    He described China as ‘satanic people’ who were bent on crippling economies by taking over a country’s main source of revenue or completely destroying it.

    In the case of Ghana, he said China was destroying the country’s cocoa bean as a result of the Asian country’s venture into the same space.

    “Our cocoa which used to be of high quality and the backbone of the economy is now being rejected by foreign countries as a result of cyanide in the bean. China has committed to colonizing Africa. When they come into your country, it is either they take over what generates wealth for the country or they destroy it.

    “China is destroying the cocoa industry because it is now cultivating some. They were the ones who informed the international community that Ghana’s cocoa contains cyanide meanwhile they brought it. If you look at their conduct and that of Aisha Huang, it is clear they want to bring the country’s economy to its knees in order to take over economically and be dependent on them.

    “Chinese are the most satanic and evil people. If I become president, I won’t tolerate them except those who are bringing serious and viable business into the country,” an unhappy Odike said.

    He added that “if you look at the number of Chinese nationals who have been arrested and shown on TV, it is only a minimum of three who are languishing in prison”.

    Information Minister Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah recently warned that Ghana cocoa and coffee could be banned from the EU under new rules.

    He said however that measures are being put in place to avert the ban on Ghana’s biggest foreign exchange earner.

    “In Europe, there is a new legislation that could soon make Ghanaian cocoa and coffee unexportable to many international markets.

    “The Ghana Embassy in Belgium under the leadership of Ambassador Sena Boateng has moved swiftly to bring this to the attention of the Government of Ghana. It has also commenced work on realigning Ghanaian and European interests in cocoa and coffee,” parts of the post shared on Facebook read.

    Background

    The conversation on galamsey resurfaced following the rearrest of Chinese galamsey kingpin Aisha Huang and her accomplices.

    She has been remanded into police custody as she faces her prosecution. Again, many civil society organizations have expressed concerns over the heavy pollution of water bodies which has compelled the Ghana Water Company Limited to threaten to shut down mining communities.

    Pressure group, Occupy Ghana, has urged President Akufo-Addo to declare a state of emergency in mining areas as the country wage war on illegal activity.

    The President, it will be recalled placed his presidency on the line in the galamsey 2017 however many hold the view that the fight has not been a success as a result of the discoloured nature of water bodies and some top officials found complicit in the fight.

    Nana Akufo-Addo opines that he paid a political price for his fight as he lost votes and in some cases, NPP MPs were unseated in mining areas.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • Illegal miners don’t pay tax strengthen mining regulations – Joe Wise to gov’t

    The first Deputy Speaker, Joseph Osei-Owusu has said the government should strengthen regulations in the mining sector to prevent those engaging in it wrongly.

    Speaking in an exclusive interview on GHOne TV with Serwaa Amihere, the deputy speaker indicated that the government must not incur cost in an area he is not getting anything from.

    According to him, mining per se is not the challenge but mining irresponsibly is the issue, adding that they are not protecting the water bodies.

    “Mining has gone on but in a very irresponsible and so regulations should be harder. But the point is that with all the people making the money the government does not even get a portion. So why should the government continue to hire more people and spend it there?

    “Already you are overburdened and the people who are destroying the environment are not putting it back. If there is a way you can get some revenue from them that’s fine. But, one, he is stealing and he doesn’t have a license either. No account for anything revenue he gets and yet you are to add to your cost?” the MP quizzed.

    He has however absorbed the government from the responsibility of creating jobs.

    According to him, the government’s responsibility is to create an enabling environment for businesses to strive.

    The lawmaker also described as outmoded the expectation from people blaming the responsibility of job creation solely on the government.

    “The time that the government took the responsibility for creating jobs is long gone. The government’s position is that I will provide the enabling environment for you to create the job for yourselves.

    “So we should stop placing responsibility where you should not. A lot of the time we make people feel that it is the government’s duty to do this and that and people don’t do what they can do for themselves,” he explained.

    Mr. Osei-Owusu added that he is leaving politics and therefore can voice out, “I will speak boldly on what matters. If we want to move forward people must take responsibility for their lives.”

  • Braimah ridicules Akufo-Addo’s galamsey fight with pictures of muddied water bodies

    The Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), Sulemana Braimah, has taken a swipe at President Akufo-Addo for his government’s handling of illegal small-scale mining (‘galamsey’).

    In a tweet shared on Monday, Braimah, who was reacting to a picture of multicoloured water samples from rivers in Ghana, said that the state of the water bodies shows how successful the Akufo-Addo administration has been in the fight against ‘galamsey’.

    He intimated that in spite of all the investments the government has made in the fight against ‘galamsey’ and the many government agencies that are supposed to be fighting the menace, the situation seems to be getting worse, which shows the kind of leader Akufo-Addo is.

    “This is how successful President Akufo-Addo’s fight against galamsey has been. These are samples from Ghana’s rivers & streams.

    “Despite this, all ministers, DCEs, CEOs of all the relevant sectors, regions and districts are all at post. Akufo-Addo’s leadership is a strange one,” parts of the tweet read.

    The executive director was reacting to a news report by Joy News which showed discoloured and muddy samples of water from nine water bodies in the country.

    The water bodies included the River Ankobra, River Ofin, Afu Afu Stream, River Bonsa, Totoa Stream, NWUI, Tano River and River Bia.

    View the tweet below:

  • Akufo-Addo knows about the deployment of military to protect illegal miners – Murtala alleges

    The Member of Parliament for Tamale Central, has alleged that President Akufo-Addo knows the top financiers of illegal small-scale mining (‘galamsey’) in the country.

    According to Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, the National Security Minister and the other heads of the security apparatus in Ghana have told the president who the kingpins in ‘galamsey’ are.

    In a TV interview monitored by GhanaWeb, on Monday, Murtala Muhammed alleged that the president has not caused the arrest of these kingpins because he is involved in it.

    “The president knows those who are engaged in galamsey, some of them are in the Flagstaff House. The reason why I say he knows is that the president has breakfast (security briefing) with the ministers for interior and national security, every morning,” he said.

    “He (the president) knows. He is an accomplice. The reason why I will say he is an accomplice is that he is the Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces. He must take action. Now when you have leading members of your party who have been cited and identified, some of them captured on video engaging this and nothing happens, why won’t I say he is an accomplice?” Murtala added.

    The MP also alleged that the president is aware of all incidents where the personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces were sent to provide security for illegal miners.

    “Military officers were instructed to go provide security for Chinese who are engaged in galamsey. Who instructed them? The Commander in Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, the president, knew about their presence there,” he said.

    He added that even if the president did not know about the incident, he failed to hold persons who were implicated accountable after videos of military men protecting illegal miners were published in the media.

    Murtala made these remarks while commending the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, for comments he made on the failure of the state to fight illegal mining.

    The Asantehene, while addressing a delegation from the US Embassy in Ghana, questioned why Ghana as a country has failed to stop the menace of ‘galamsey’ even after the President, Akufo-Addo, has put his political career on the line to stop it.

    Asantehene also questioned why the security apparatus in these ‘galamsey’ areas and the taskforce set up by the government have failed to stop the menace.

    He intimated that small-scale mining was something that had been done for several years but never to the detriment of the environment.

    “It (‘galamsey’) has gotten to a point where people are now using equipment and all that. They do not care about the environment.

    “But the question is who is in control of the security around the area. From the district level to the highest level. We are all talking about ‘galamsey’. The government set up this military cum police to stop galamsey. Why have we not been able to stop it? Why?” he asked.

    Meanwhile, the Ghana Armed Forces (GFA) has refuted news reports that its officers provide security for groups and individuals engaging in illegal small-scale mining (‘galamsey’).

    The GFA, while reacting to audio-visuals published in the media, said that the persons captured in the videos were not military men.

    According to the military, investigations conducted into some of the allegations showed that the persons who were captured in military apparel were private security officers who had been contracted to protect legal small-scale mining firms.

  • Akonta mining: I am not involved in galamsey – Chairman Wontumi

    Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has denied reports he is involved in illegal mining.

    After the Forestry Commission was directed to halt the activities of Akonta Mining Limited’s operation, Mr. Boasiako said he was willing to allow due process.

    “I am appealing to them to use the law. They should do their investigations, and we should let the law work,” he said on his TV station, Wontumi TV.

    Mr. Boasiako also responded to speculation that he is involved in illegal mining, saying, “I want to tell the public that I am not into galamsey.”

    “I have a large scale company which Akonta mining is under… All the required documents I have, I will make all available,” he added.

    Akonta Mining Company Limited was said to have been operating unlawfully in the Nimri Tano forest reserve in the Amenfi West Municipality of the Western Region.

    According to the government, while the mining company has a lease to undertake mining operations in some parts of Samreboi, the company has no mineral right to undertake any mining operations in the Tano Nimiri forest reserve.

    There have been calls for the prosecution of persons running Akonta Mining Limited’s operation in the forest reserve.

    Source: Citinews

  • Who is in charge of security? Why haven’t we been able to stop galamsey? – Asantehene

    Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, has questioned why the security services haven’t been able to stop illegal mining (galamsey) in Ghana.

    He claims that despite several initiatives and promises made by the government to eradicate the problem, galamsey is on the rise.

    On Friday, September 30, 2022, the US Ambassador to Ghana, Virginia E. Palmer, paid him a courtesy visit at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi.

    “However, who is in charge of the neighborhood’s security? up to the highest level, starting at the district level.
    Everyone here is discussing galamsey. Why have we been unable to stop it if the government set up the military and police to do it?

    If you create a system that you say you will stop it to the extent that the president says “I will put my presidency on the line, and yet it is going on. Then to me, something is wrong somewhere. So we need to know why this is happening, polluting our waters”, he said.

    Otumfuo also questioned the District and Municipal Security Councils over their failure to fight the menace.

    “At the district level, we have the political administration, District Chief Executive, and the Security Council. Are they all saying that they are unaware of the activities of these galamseyers? If they are unable to detect and stop the operation of these galamseyers then they are unworthy to be there, it is as simple as that.”

  • Anas Sulemana: The politics of galamsey from a political marketing perspective

    Illegal mining (Galamsey) is not only one of the greatest existential threats to our country but also the presence of foreigners in that enterprise gravely insults our dignity and conscience as citizens in a sovereign nation. The questions that most Ghanaians keep asking are:

    Is the political class complicit and does the class hold the solution to this problem?

    In this piece I intend to contribute to the discourse on the politics of Galamsey by applying principles and theories from marketing.

    To assist our understanding of this piece I conceptualize the relationship between a government and citizens as service provider-customer relationship.  I argue that, fundamentally, trust and integrity underpin all forms of government-citizen relationships: leaders show integrity and that translates into citizen’s trust and confidence.

    The president of Ghana in 2017 made a promise to Ghanaians to eradicate illegal mining “once and for all”. Relevant comments attributable to the president in that direction have been;

    “It will be a betrayal of the trust reposed in me if I fail to end this.”

    “I put my presidency on the line for Galamsey fight”

    Essentially, the promise to put the presidency on the line for Galamsey fight had effectively created what is referred to in marketing as: SERVICE GUARANTEE

    A political policy/service guarantee is a statement explaining what citizens can expect (the promise) and what the president and his team will do if they (the president and his team) fail to deliver.

    The role of service guarantee in political marketing has been to help citizens form relatively accurate service expectations from the incumbent.  The guarantee by the president had given Ghanaians the right to complain.

    The promise or guarantee to put the presidency on the line had two major political consequences:

    1. For the citizens to vote the president out of office if he fails to deliver on his promise
    • For the president to honorably resign if he fails to deliver

    The “POLITICAL MOMENT OF TRUTH” are those times during which citizens expect their government to fulfil promises that have been made before, during or after national elections.

    I intimate that all too often, we have seen politicians pay lip service to the citizens while preparing their party/government for short-term payoffs (power and money).

    After five years in office the president and his team have passed through several moments of truth; enough time to demonstrate to their electors that they are capable and willing to deliver on the Galamsey promise.

    Illegal mining is a negative practice that socially and politically significant groups of people in Ghana believe to be caused by avoidable and blameworthy failures of the president and his team.

    The actions and inactions that give rise to political policy/ service failure are;

    1. The missing excavators:                                seized excavators purportedly looted by party supporters 
    • The death of Major Mahama:                       the wheel of INJUSTICE grinding slowly but

                                                                                 painfully in the hearts of the deceased`s family

    • The return of Aisah Huang:                                the state filed “do not prosecute”

                                                                          The president says “I`m not still sure whether

                                                                           she was deported or….”

    • The government needs money comment:    ‘abayn hiya sika’ attributable to a party officer

    What are the consequences of POLITICAL SERVICE FAILURE for the incumbent?

    1. “I put my presidency on the line….”: The questions that fair-minded Ghanaians ask are :

    HAS THE PRESIDENT GOT ANY MORAL REASONS TO CONTINUE TO BE IN OFFICE?

    Does the failure of the president to act (maybe resign) not provoke CONFIDENCE CRISIS? What exactly did he have in mind when he made the promise?

    • “It will be a betrayal of the trust…”: The questions are:

    WHAT IS THE HONORABLE THING FOR A LEADER TO DO WHEN HE BETRAYS CITIZENS` TRUST?

    Does the sense of betrayal Ghanaians now feel not provoke CREDIBILITY CRISIS?

    What are the POLICY/ SERVICE RECOVERY options for the president and his party?

    1. Apologize to Ghanaians and resign. Though the most honorable option I am unwilling to believe any leader in Africa will ever contemplate resigning his office. In the UK Boris Johnson did.
    • Apologize to Ghanaians and admit that the government had underestimated the magnitude of the problem. We cannot end Galamsey “once and for all”. The former president J. A. Kuffour did this over his zero tolerance for corruption when he intimated that the canker started at the time of Adam.
    • Apologize, admit failure and then commit the government to a new Galamsey fight strategy.

    Though the best strategy, option three will require sincere and genuine commitment from the presidency. I am not sure if this is possible because of the obvious complicity of the political class in the matter.

    This third approach will demand sincere and honest engagement of all stakeholders along the Galamsey value chain. More importantly, a bottom-up approach that empowers affected communities to support the new initiative will ensure policy success.

    Let those who peddle rhetoric know that their audiences are no longer morons.

    ******************

    The author, Anas Sulemana is with the Tamale Technical University. He can be reached via mail – anasgh@yahoo.com.

     

                                                                                      

  • ‘Who is in control from district to national level?’ – Otumfuo laments galamsey ‘albatross’

    Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II is urging a coordinated effort to eradicate unlawful small-scale mining, or “galamsey,” which he has described as an albatross around the nation’s neck.

    The Asantehene bemoaned the negative effects of the illegal operation on several facets of personal and societal life while giving the American ambassador a private audience at the Manhyia Palace.

    Asantehene further questioned why the taskforce established by the government and the security apparatus in these “galamsey” districts had not been able to end the menace in a video aired by Opemsuo Radio and seen by GhanaWeb.

    “Galamsey is an albatross on our necks, it is rather unfortunate that it has happened this way. Ghana was known as the Gold Coast and therefore it was known. But during that time, it wasn’t like the galamsey that we are talking about,” he stated.

    He explained that the small-scale mining of decades back was the menial ones, stressing that in contemporary times, the unfortunate use of equipment and carelessness of environmental implication has become a headache. “But who is control from district to national level,” he quizzed.

    He continued: “The government set up the military cum police to do it, why have we not been able to stop it. Why? That is the point, why have we not been able to stop it?” he emphasized.

    He intimated that small-scale mining was something that had been done for serval years but never to the detriment of the environment.

    Wontumi’s company embroiled in ‘galamsey’ war

    Meanwhile, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has directed the Forestry Commission to cease the operations of Akonta Mining Company in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve of the Amenfi West Municipal Assembly.

    According to a statement issued by the Public Affairs of the Ministry on Friday, September 30, 2022, the Company owned by the ruling NPP Chairman for Ashanti Region, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, alias Wontumi, has been engaging in mining activities in the forest without a permit.

    “The attention of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has been drawn to publications about certain operations by Akonta Mining Limited in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve in the Amenfi West Municipality in the Western Region.

    “Records available to the Ministry shows that while Akonta Mining Ltd has a mining lease to undertake mining operations in some parts of Samreboi, outside the Forest Reserve, the company has no mineral right to undertake any mining operations in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve,” the statement said.

    According to the Ministry, while Akonta Mining Company had applied for a permit to mine in the said forest reserve, the Minister had yet to give approval to any such application hence rendering the activities of the firm in the said forest reserve illegal.

  • RE: Government to lose revenue as Chinese takes over local position in mining sector

    Asonaba Kwadwo Nomafo wrote an opinion piece for GhanaWeb on September 29, 2022, in which he claimed that the government will lose a significant amount of money from the mining industry due to the actions of some Chinese companies.

    He notably brought up the situation with Golden Star Resources, GSR, a company that is part of the Chifeng Jilong Group of Companies.

    The fight against illicit mining, also known as galamsey, has turned into an albatross around our neck as most of those involved in this conduct are Chinese nationals, and their activities constitute a significant threat to the deterioration of our ecosystem.

    “But information gathered by www.asonabamediaonline.com indicates some Chinese Nationals in Golden Star Resources have taken over local positions which are meant to be occupied by Ghanaians thereby causing financial loss to the state and since most of their operations in the financial department are known to them the likely falsifying of revenue document against the state comes to bare,” the article said among other allegations.

    In a rejoinder sent to GhanaWeb on October 1, GSR debunked the allegations stating that it was, “a law-abiding external company into lawful mining operations through its 90% owned subsidiary company, Golden Star Wassa Limited (GSWL) incorporated under the laws of Ghana.”

  • Jinapor expresses shock over devastation of galamsey activities

    Samuel Abu Jinapor, the minister for lands and natural resources, was completely astounded yesterday when he saw the extensive destruction that unlicensed gold miners (galamsey operators) had wrought at Dantano in the Amansie South District of the Ashanti Region.

    When he saw farmlands the size of four football fields (approximately eight acres) being destroyed by illegal miners and left with massive pits, he shook his head in disbelief.

    Mr. Jinapor, who traveled to the region to assess the extent of environmental harm inflicted by galamsey operators, announced that he would be opening an investigation into the devastation.

    Mr Jinapor visited the ‘Operation Halt II’ team that undertook a major operation in the area last Monday.

    Questions

    Mr JInapor wondered whether such vast devastation by illegal miners took place without the knowledge of the district assembly, chiefs, the police and the Minerals Commission.

    He said he would be seeking answers from the Inspectorate office of the Minerals Commission.

    The minister stated that the depth of the pits showed that such activities had been ongoing for years, and expressed the belief that the traditional and political leaders in the district decided to turn a blind eye to them.

    Stakeholders

    He said there was no way all the stakeholders in the community could feign ignorance of what went on.

    Mr Jinapor urged all Ghanaians to get involved in the fight against illegal mining to protect the environment.

    He said the fight should not be left only to the government.

    He commended the General Officer Commanding the Central Command of the Ghana Armed Forces, Brigadier General Joseph Aphour, and his men for leading the fight against illegal mining in the region.

    He assured them of the government’s support and told the team that they had the full support of the President to clamp down on all illegal mining activities in.the region.

    Operations

    Briefing the minister, Brig Gen Aphour said on Monday, September 26, 2022 at Datano and at Atwma Mponua, the team seized 11 excavators and burnt those that could not be moved.

    He said the personnel were unable to make any arrest as the operators had left the sites before their arrival.

    However, he said all their equipment had been destroyed and the excavators sent to some police stations.

  • Reports that soldiers provide security for illegal miners are untrue – Ghana Armed Forces

    The Ghana Armed Forces (GFA) has refuted news reports that its officers provide security for groups and individuals engaging in illegal small-scale mining (‘galamsey’).

    The GFA, while reacting to audio-visuals published in the media, said that the person captured in the videos were not military men.

    According to the military, investigations conducted into some of the allegations showed that the persons who were captured in military apparel were private security officers who had been contracted to protect legal small-scale mining firms.

    “GAF wishes to state categorically that there are no military personnel deployed for such activities and no soldier is providing security for any mining company in any forest reserve in any part of the country.

    “GAF further wishes to disclose that following reports of the presence of some security persons in uniform within the Aprampramah Forest and Kobro Forest Reserve stretch in Amansie Central, a patrol team from 4 Infantry Battalion and the Central Command Headquarters in Kumasi conducted an operation in the general area on 28 September 2022.

    “The military patrol team picked up some individuals dressed in US military-pattern camouflage uniforms working for a private security firm, which has been contracted by a registered small-scale mining company named ‘Elvis and Co Mining Ltd’. These private security guards should not be misconstrued as GAF personnel because their camouflage pattern uniforms are even totally distinct from GAF,” parts of a statement issued by the GFA read.

    Also, the military said it does not condone its officers engaging in illegal and unauthorised activities, especially galamsey.

    It added that it remains committed to the fight against illegal mining and will not engage in activities that will derail the country’s progress in the fight against the menace.

    Read the full statement by the GFA below:

  • We’ll drag government to court if it fails to fight galamsey – Occupy Ghana

    Pressure Group Occupy Ghana believes the main problem with illegal mining in Ghana is the government’s “sheer inability, total unpreparedness, and, or blatant unwillingness to enforce the law.”

    Occupy Ghana in an open letter to President Nana Akufo-Addo said it is dumbstruck at the government’s “absolute impotence, in the face of the brazen destruction of our lands and wanton poisoning of our water bodies.”

    As far as it is concerned, the government has no excuse to fail in the fight against the menace.

    “Every law required to regulate the mining industry exists. Every government agency required in the police, the courts, and even the military) exists. Every district, municipality, and metropolis to enforce the law (namely the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Minerals Commission, in which Galamsey takes place has a fully-paid Chief Executive supported by an Authority and Assembly.”

    “What is going on defies reason and only gives support and credence to the popular rumour or belief that the very persons who should be fighting this crime, are rather those involved in and benefit from it.”

    It said the President, Nana Akufo-Addo is failing and, betraying the trust reposed in him.

    “Sir, can you simply ensure that the law, namely the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended, is enforced without fear and favour and irrespective of whose ox is gored?”

    The pressure group vowed to pressure the President’s neck till he fulfils his promise to stop galamsey.

    “We will send a reminder to you every Monday until we see firm action to stamp this crime out. If that fails, we will shame your government by going to court to compel the government to sit up and do its job. That is not a threat, sir; it is a promise,” it added.

    Source: Citinews

  • Let’s expose illegal miners; galamsey is a threat to our survival – GMA to Ghanaians

    The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has called on all Ghanaians to join hands and expose individuals and organisations involved in the destruction of lands and water bodies through galamsey as it has dire effect on the health of the nation.

    The Association said despite several warnings of the health implication of galamsey on Ghanaians, the destruction of land and water bodies continue unabated.

     

    The GMA is, therefore, urging the courts to expedite the trails and punish galamseyers who they referred to as “saboteurs” without mercy when they are brought before them.

    They also called on President Akufo-Addo to take the necessary and urgent action to reverse this menace which they said is threatening the future and very survival of the country.

    Source: Classfmonline.com

  • Eastern Region: Six persons trapped in galamsey pit

    The six are still missing after becoming caught during the town’s Wednesday (September 28) torrential rainstorm.

    According to eyewitness accounts, at least six people are trapped in a galamsey hole in Twepiase near Kibi in the Abuakwa South Municipality of the Eastern Region.

    The six got trapped as a result of a heavy rainstorm that hit the town on Wednesday (28 September) and is yet to be retrieved.

    Unconfirmed reports say one of the alleged illegal miners was retrieved dead and deposited at the Kyebi government hospital morgue by a joint rescue team of police and residents.

    The police have been at the scene Wednesday to assess the situation. The police are yet to comment on the situation.

    Although Ghana requires permits to mine on a small scale, it is estimated that about 70% of small-scale miners are unregistered and operate illegally.

    They are known locally as galamsey, meaning to “gather and sell”. While illegal mining supports livelihoods, it has caused severe damage to the environment, especially water bodies across the country.

  • Government’s sheer inability and total unpreparedness to enforce laws cause of galamsey – OccupyGhana

    According to the pressure group OccupyGhana (OG), the government’s incapacity, complete unpreparedness, or open reluctance to execute the law is the cause of the growing problem in galamsey.

    The group claimed it is perplexed and surprised by the government’s complete helplessness in the face of the willful devastation of the nation’s lands and water supplies.

    According to the group, every law and every government agency required to regulate the mining industry exists.

    In an open letter to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on the galamsey menace, OG emphasised that every district, municipality, and metropolis in which galamsey takes place has a fully-paid Chief Executive supported by an Authority and Assembly. There are also chiefs in all of those towns and villages where the plunder happens.

    These people, OG says, cannot feign ignorance and pretend to be innocent in this matter.

    “What is going on defies reason and only gives support and credence to the popular rumour or belief that the very persons who should be fighting this crime are rather those involved in and benefitting from it,” the letter said.

    For their part, OG noted that they will remind the President every Monday of his promise to fight galamsey until they see a firm action to stamp this crime out.

    They have also threatened to go to court to compel the government to sit up and do its job.

  • ‘What have fishes got to do with bail application?’ – Lawyer criticises judge for not granting Aisha Huang bail

    The Lawyer for Chinese illegal small-scale mining (galamsey) kingpin, Aisha Huang, Nkrabea Effah Dartey, has berated the Accra Circuit Court 9 judge, Samuel Bright Acquah, for his decision not to grant his client bail.

    Speaking in a TV3 interview monitored by GhanaWeb, on Tuesday, the lawyer said that he was disappointed by the decision made by the judge because the judge is someone, he knows to be fair-minded.

    According to Effah Dartey, the Acquah was prejudicial with some of the comments he made about the effects of illegal mining before denying Aisha Huang and the three other Chinese nationals bail.

    “I was in large measure disappointed today. I was disappointed because I know the judge, he is very fair all the time. In all cases that I have appeared before him, I have not had cause to complain about his decision.

    “But today, I was not happy. I was not happy because a case has been called and the issue before you was bail application… With the greatest respect, all that My Lord needed to do was to write his ruling and deliver it.

    “But My Lord went extempore, talking about river bodies, about Ghana Water being under pressure to supply water. My Lord was talking about fishes in the rivers. And with the greatest respect what has this got to do with the issue of whether or not the accused persons are entitled to bail,” he said.

    “My view was that my lord was betraying his view on the whole case and he is in danger of opening himself up for criticism that he has prejudged the issue,” he added.

    Lawyer Effah Dartey reiterated that until the accused persons are found guilty, they remain innocent.

    The Accra Circuit Court 9 judge, Samuel Bright Acquah on Tuesday, September 27, 2022, while refusing bail application for Aisha Huang and three other Chinese nationals who have been accused of engaging in illegal mining and the sale of minerals without a license, called on all Ghanaians to get on board in fighting illegal mining.

    He specifically made a fervent appeal to his fellow judges to take a strong position against illegal mining which he noted poses a threat to the nation.

  • Chinese now running provision and spare parts shops in Juaboso – Mintah Akandoh laments

    Residents of Juaboso in the Western North region are gradually falling out of business as Chinese nationals have taken over their daily petty trading.

    Speaking on Okay FM’s ‘Ade Akye Abia’ programme, the Member of Parliament(MP) for Juaboso constituency, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh lamented that Chinese nationals are not only engaging in galamsey but are also selling provisions and spare parts.

    A trading activity that was hitherto reserved for the indigenous community members of Juaboso and its environs.

    Hon. Mintah Akandoh who is very much worried about the unpalatable situation says the government’s fight against illegal mining popularly known as galamsey has become a mere rhetoric with the Chinese mining with impunity.

    “The NPP government do not have the desire to fight or end the illegal mining because they are not committed to it. A number of NPP foot soldiers and even top hierarchy are heavily involved in the galamsey business. For instance, with what happened at Elubo, an NPP constituency Secretary was among those who were arrested for destroying a whole village in the name of Galamsey,” he said.

    He further explained that though government claims to have invested heavily in the fight against illegal mining, it looks more attractive now than before because those who are caught destroying the water bodies and the forest reserves are left to go unpunished which will at least serve as a deterrent to others.

    “How can we allow Chinese nationals with the aid of Ghanaians to destroy our water bodies and forest reserves and also take over businesses meant for Ghanaians,” he rhetorically asked.

    Expressing his disgust for the rate at which illegal miners have taken over his constituency, he noted that government’s abysmal performance in the fight against galamsey clearly shows that they are losing it.

     

  • Aisha Huang trial: We need to take a strong stance against illegal mining – Judge

    Circuit Court Judge Samuel Bright Acquah is making a case for courts to take a strong stance against illegal mining.

    Ruling on a bail application by lawyers for Galamsey Kingpin Aishà Huang, Justice Acquah said the future of the nation is under threat.

    He indicated that the accused will, therefore, remain in police custody as investigations continue.

    Ms Huang and three others are accused of engaging in illegal mining and engaging in the sale of minerals without a license. They have pleaded not guilty but remain in police custody.

    Lead Counsel Nkrabeah Effah Dartey on Tuesday made a second application for bail.

    The court had on September 14 remanded the accused persons to police custody.

    Mr Dartey questioned the work done by investigators insisting they have not been fair to the accused persons.

    “Where is the evidence? Why should this take more than one month? The element of they being foreigners should weigh on your mind. Ghanaians are all over the world. I am pleading with you, to admit them to court bail. We will satisfy the conditions.” He stated.

    He urged the Judge to be bold and grant bail and that no one can question him should he do so.

    “His Excellency the President, the Attorney General cannot say anything if you grant them bail. You can perfectly do that. They are keeping the accused persons in total incommunicado. Going to BNI is like attacking a virgin’s home,” he added.

    Prosecutors however opposed the request. They insisted the facts presented to the court so far make a compelling case for the refusal of bail.

    “Fact is that these persons are charged, investigations show they entered this country illegally. That is enough to draw a conclusion that they have no fixed place of abode let alone gainfully employed.

    “We invite you to avert your mind to the fact that in as much as they deserve justice, the laws of the land which have been desecrated also deserve justice. They are remanded as we continue with investigations.”. Prosecutors stated.

    Justice Samuel Bright Acquah turned down the request for bail.

    “This is an activity that is destroying our water bodies. Look at how it is destroying our forest. We the humans are complaining, the animals in the forest are suffering, it’s very sad. If we should allow this to go on, Ghana Water says they will soon shut down their machines.

    “We will have to import water to drink? The courts and everyone must take a strong stance. Aisha Huang especially, how she entered the country. She can’t even tell. If I grant bail, and tomorrow the case is called and she can’t be found. What happens? The motion for bail is refused,” Justice Acquah stated.

    The case is back in court on October 12, 2022.

     

  • Aisha Huang and accomplices denied bail again

    Embattled galamsey queen, Aisha Huang, and her three accomplices, currently on trial over illegal mining activities, have once again been denied bail
    by an Accra circuit court. This is their third failed attempt at requesting bail, following their arrest earlier this month.

    Prior to the recent bail application, the prosecution had requested more time to advance in their investigations. Due to this and several other reasons, the presiding judge, Samuel Bright Acquah, has insisted that Aisha Huang and her counterparts remain in custody while investigations are ongoing. They are, therefore, to remain in custody for a fortnight.

    Aisha Huang’s return

    The four, En Huang, Jong Li Hua, Huang Jei, and Huiad Hiahu, have been charged with engaging in the sale of minerals without a licence and mining without a licence. The Attorney General, Godfred Dame, on Friday, September 16, 2022, included fresh charges against Aisha Huang. The four (4)charges filed against her were in respect of offences
    committed between 2015 and 2017. They are:

    Count One: Undertaking a mining operation without a licence
    contrary to section 99(2)(a) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006, Act 703 as amended by the Minerals
    and Mining (Amendment) Act 2019, Act 995.

    Count Two: Facilitating the participation of persons engaged
    in a mining operation contrary to section 99 (2)(a) & (3) of the
    Minerals and Mining Act, 2006, Act 703 as amended by the Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Act 2019, Act 995.

    Count Three: Illegal employment of foreign nationals contrary to Section 24 of the Immigration Act, 2000 (Act 573).

    Count Four: Entering Ghana while prohibited from re-entry contrary to section 20(4) of the Immigration Act, 2000, Act 573.

    The Fight against galamsey

    The laws of the country strictly prohibit illegal mining activities. The Minerals and Mining Act proscribes sanctions for people who engage in such activities.

    The Act proscribes sanctions in the form of a fine and imprisonment of between 15 and 25 years for each of the following crimes: buying or selling minerals without a licence or authority; mining in breach of the law; abetting any breach of the mining law; contracting a non-Ghanaian to provide mining support services; abetting the breach of the mining laws by a foreigner; fabricating or manufacturing floating platforms or other equipment to be used for mining in our water bodies;
    and providing an excavator for an illegal mining operation.

    The Act further provides that a non-Ghanaian who illegally mines or abets illegal mining attracts a large fine and imprisonment of between 20 and 25 years, and shall be deported after serving the sentence.

    However, this was not seen in the case of Aisha Huang when she was initially arrested in 2017 and supposedly deported in 2018.

    However, the activities of illegal miners are still on the surge due to failure of authorities in charge to strictly enforce the laws.

    Meanwhile, “Operation Halt,” an anti-galamsey task force launched by the government to curtail illegal mining activities in the country, is still in operation.

    Recent arrests carried out in relation to galamsey.

    Aside from Aisha Huang and her accomplices, the Operation Halt task force has also facilitated the arrest of some 164 persons, comprising Ghanaians and foreign nationals, after a three- day operation at Anyinam and Mampong.

    The Judge’s call on the judiciary to help in the fight
    against galamsey.

    Meanwhile, the judge, who presided over Aisha Huang’s case
    on Tuesday, September 27, 2022, called on the judiciary to help in the fight against the canker.

     

     

  • Aisha Huang reappears in court today

    After the drama that characterised the first hearing of the case involving Aisha Huang and 3 other Chinese Nationals at the Accra Circuit Court 9, the galamsey Kingpin and her counterparts are expected to make another appearance in court today, September 27, 2022.

    This comes following her 2nd appearance in court on September 14, 2022 where the court denied herself and her 3 counterparts bail on several grounds.

    Ms. Huang who is facing six charges relating to illegal mining activities, together with 3 other Chinese nationals, were remanded by the court on Monday, September 5, 2022.

    Until September 16, Aisha was facing two charges of mining along with three other accomplices, in an Accra Circuit Court, after they were arrested earlier this month including mining without license and engaging in the sale and purchase of minerals.

    The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, had hinted following the re-arrest of Huang that he would reopen a case discontinued in 2018 against her.

    Four new charges were filed at the Criminal Division of the Accra High Court on Friday, September 16, 2022. The virtual hearing took place in the court of Justice Lydia Marfo.

    The charges are undertaking a mining operation without a licence, facilitating the participation of persons engaged in a mining operation, illegal employment of foreign nationals, and entering Ghana while prohibited from re-entry.

    The court denied the accused persons bail after lead counsel Nkrabea-Effah Dartey on Wednesday, September 14, asked the court to grant his client and her three other Chinese counterparts bail.

    Aisha Huang’s request according to GhanaWeb’s court reporter was objected to by the prosecution.

    According to the prosecution, new arrests have been made therefore granting the accused persons bail may give them the opportunity to interfere with witnesses and investigations.

    The prosecution while citing public interest in the matter also argued that Aisha Huang has a history of sneaking in and out of the country and is therefore a flight risk.

    The court in agreeing with the prosecution’s argument remanded the accused persons into custody to reappear on Tuesday, September 27, 2022.

    Chinese galamsey kingpin, Aisha Huang broke down in tears while in court on Wednesday, September 14, 2022.

    While it is unclear what warranted her tears, earlier reports from GhanaWeb’s correspondent indicated that one of her colleagues; the second accused; Johng Li Hua, herself a Chinese, fell sick during court proceedings and broke down in tears.

    According to her lawyer, Frank Kumako, his client, Johng Li was on some medications per information from her family.

    She was subsequently rushed to the hospital after she collapsed in the courtroom.

     

  • Review anti-galamsey strategy – Environmentalist urges gov’t

    The government has been urged to review its strategy towards fighting illegal mining to make it regional and district-led.

    An environmentalist, Nana Dwomoh Sarpong, who made the call, said the current top-bottom approach where an anti galamsey task force formed at the national level took charge of operations was not helping matters.

    Speaking in an interview with the Daily Graphic in Accra last Friday, he said: “We have had Operation Vanguard, Operation Halt and Operation Halt II, all constituted at the top in Accra but the problem persists, which tells us that something is wrong in our strategy.”

    Owning exercise

    Explaining further, Nana Sarpong who is the President of Friends of Rivers and Water Bodies, said making the anti-galamsey strategy regional/district-led would make the regional and district security councils which knew the terrain well to own the exercise in order to prosecute it effectively.

    “The regions and districts are there already, they know all the areas and the people who engage in the illegal activities, so why do we send people from Accra to take charge of the operations?” he queried.

    Nana Sarpong said the national task force would only have to come in to monitor how the regions and districts were performing.

    “It is good that some of the regions and districts have already taken up the task, and have formed their own task forces, but they will need the full support in the form of resources from central government to undertake their activities,” he stated.

    State of rivers

    The environmentalist expressed concern about the state of some rivers affected by galamsey, and further said “ we have to take this fight seriously to prevent a major national disaster.

    “As I speak to you now major rivers like Pra, Ankobra, Offin and Birim have been heavily polluted by illegal mining, and this calls for a major action to restore normalcy,” he said.

    The environmentalist said the way the galamsey fight was being handled showed that a lot more efforts needed to be put in to achieve the desired results.

    Cartels

    He said it was time to expose the “big names” who were behind the illegal activities rather than putting all emphasis on the “small fishes.”

    “For me, these are cartels who must be exposed , whether they are politicians or whatever, “ he said.

    Excavators

    Nana Sarpong said along the roads in the mining areas, excavators littered the roads, while no one questioned what they were meant for.

    He suggested that excavators that were impounded for galamsey activities should be demobilised and the parts sold, and the money used for the development of the districts where they were impounded.

     

  • Randy Abbey takes on NIA over Aisha Huang’s Ghana Card

    The host of Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana program, Randy Abbey, has criticised the National Identification Authority (NIA) for failing to exercise due diligence when issuing a Ghana card to Aisha Huang.

    According to him, when the NIA initially noticed Aisha Huang’s attempt to renew her card, it ought to have known she was up to something.

    Mr Abbey asserted that the NIA should have ordered Aisha Huang’s arrest as soon as they realized she was attempting to register using new credentials.

    “A few days ago we were discussing this NIA card issue and Dzifa Gunu sent us a message that his NIA card has not been sent to him because his biometrics match that of an impaired person so since June, he has not had Ghana card.

    “If you read the NIA statement (on Aisha Huang) they tell us that this woman went to the office at Tamale to register with a different passport Her biometrics matched that of the one in their system already. When they questioned her, she told them she had changed her name, although the difference was not the name but the date of birth as well.

    “They then gave her the option to either bring a sworn affidavit to effect that change or do the renewal on the basis of the information they have already and I’m like who does this? She opted to do the renewal on what they have already.

    “This is somebody who has come not with the view to amending her record but with a new passport attempting to register anew. That is different from the people who went to El-Wak Stadium with few challenges. This is a person who comes with a new passport attempting to acquire a new card as a different person, your system detects that her biometrics matches that of somebody in there, she confirms I’m the same person and you okay bring an affidavit so that we can effect the change for you. This is someone who has clearly established an intent”.

    Aisha Huang is facing trial in court following her re-arrest. Aisha Huang is facing two charges; mining without a license and sale of minerals without a license.

    The court on September 14, 2022, denied Aisha Huang and 3 other accused persons bail after they pleaded not guilty.

    She is expected to reappear on September 27, 2022.