TIG Post

Tag: illegal Mining

  • Children opt for galamsey instead of school

    The talk about illegal gold mining, locally referred to as galamsey, has gone on for years with the pollution of water bodies and destruction of environment always taking centre stage of discussions.

    However, there appears to be a serious component of the menace that also has a rippling effect on the country but has been left out of the conversation.

    This has to do with the effect of illegal mining on education.

    In this report, 3news.com explores how children in mining communities are prioritizing galamsey at the expense of their education.

    EDUCATIONAL INTERVENTIONS

    Several interventions like Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education (FCUBE), capitation grants, free feeding program, free school uniforms, free SHS, among others, have and are being rolled out by governments to increase school enrollment, attendance and academic performance in all parts of the country.

    This is in line with efforts to meet the Sustainable Development Goal 4 target of ensuring access to quality universal education for all by 2030.

    Also, the 1992 Constitution gives further push to the provision of education as a basic right for all Ghanaians. Article 25(a) states: “All persons shall have the right to equal educational opportunities and facilities and with a view to achieving the full realization of that right – basic education shall be free, compulsory and available to all”.

    However, a great deal of Ghana’s success in growing enrolment is being thwarted by increasing student drop-out rates in several mining communities.

    CHILDREN ABANDON CLASSROOM TO DO MINING

    Scores of children are abandoning the classroom to do galamsey in mining areas like Peminase in the Juaben municipality of Ashanti Region.

    The small mining town with a population of about 800 is struggling to deal with the negative impact of the illegal activity on education.

    At Peminase M/A JHS, only 12 out of 30 Form 3 students were in school preparing for their Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), which was barely two days ahead at the time the news team visited.

    “You can find most of the 18 students who are absent today at the mining site working,” says Kwabena Asiamah, a teacher.

    Opoku Clement Sebastian is the headteacher of Peminase M/A JHS.

    “The enrolment in the school is always declining due to the increasing illegal mining activities. Because the school serves other adjoining communities, we used to have a population of close to 200 some five years ago but currently we only have 83. Even with the 83, the truancy rate among the male students is alarming.”

    Opoku Clement, Headteacher, Peminase M/A JHS 

    At the mining site, six school-age going children between the ages of 13 and 17 are busily working instead of being in the classroom.

    These children engage in mining for several reasons but the common is owing to financial constraints of their parents.

    “Together with 3 of my friends, we have stopped schooling and now engaged in illegal mining. The money we earn is what we use to cater for our needs and that of our parents. I would wish to one day continue with my education,” a 14-year-old JHS 2 pupil shared.

    For 15-year-old Adusei, “this is the only work in this community and we involve ourselves because our parents don’t have the financial strength to cater for us”.

    The job, according to him, is based on luck because on a good day “each of us earns 700 cedis a day”.

    The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has indicated that the prevalence of children in mining is growing. Thousands of children are into gold mining activities in areas within the Western, Central and Ashanti regions and this according to the organization is “a serious violation of children’s rights that puts children’s health and safety at risk and deprives them of an education”.

    More worrying is the worst-case scenario where some of the pupils lose their lives while mining.

    “At least six of our students have lost their lives at the mining site within the past 3 years. But still, this appears not to deter most of them from going to the site to work,” visibly worried Mr Sebastian said.

    At Yapese in the Bosome Freho District in the Ashanti Region, the situation has improved a little bit with the clampdown on illegal miners.

    Some of the children have returned to school but others are yet to.

    Asare Bediako

    Chairman of Yapese Methodist Primary School Management Committee Asare Bediako noted that “it is the responsibility of parents to make sure their children have come to school. Government will do its part of providing infrastructure and conducive learning environment, teachers will also play their role of teaching so it is the duty of the parent to ensure the child goes to school. We have engaged parents several times to conscientize them on the need to prioritize the education of their wards but others are adamant”.

    PEMINASE COMMUNITY LEADERS INTERVENTION

    The increase in these illegal mining activities has brought about retrogression in education at Peminase.

    To reverse this disturbing trend, the traditional authority and unit committee of the community have proffered some sanctions to parents who look on for their children to do galamsey at the expense of their education.

    “Any child caught doing galamsey instead of being in school, his parents would be fined GH¢1,500 and the owner of the concession will also be fined GH¢2,000. We want our children to be educated for a better future,” caretaker chief and Akwamuhene of the area, Nana Kofi Owusu II, stated.

    Nana Kofi Owusu II

    The unit committee members have sought the assistance of the police to aid them move to sites and arrest school-going age children who involve themselves in mining at the expense of their education.

    “Some parents are uncooperative because their children bring them money when they go and mine. So, they’re more interested about the money more than the education of the children. We will soon go after them because we can’t allow this to continue. Education for children at the primary and JHS level is compulsory,” Peminase Unit Committee Vice Chairman Kwasi Owusu Sekyere explained.

    Kwasi Owusu Sekyere

    The district and regional education directorates have admitted to this challenge but yet to speak to on the issue.

    Ghana is signatory to the international convention of the rights of the child that declared education a right of every child of school age.

    To give meaning to the access and participation component of the Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education programme, there is the need for all stakeholders in the education sector to join hands and ensure children of school age remain in the classroom.

     

  • Operation Halt II: 30 excavators seized by soldiers – Lands minister

    The Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has revealed that the military, in collaboration with the lands ministry, has seized nearly 30 excavators from various illegal mining sites.

    Addressing the media on the issue, Mr Jinapor said, the seizure is proof of Operation Halt II’s effectiveness in Ghana’s illegal mining fight.

    “As I speak with you, they have seized almost 30 excavators. It has already begun. It started about two or three days ago, and it’s going to be sustainable”

    He said in this phase of the operation “the military would take full responsibility” and that this time their operation would not be time-bound.

    “The soldiers are going to go on for as long as it takes. They will decide. They will make those decisions, not I, the Minister… They will have command and control responsibility in terms of when to go, how to go, where to go, and how to go about their operations; all of it will be in the hands of the military. We are responsible for policy but they will conduct operational implementation,” he said.

    Topreventanykindofgovernmental interference, “command and control” on the ground has been entrusted to the hands of the military so that any government official found complicit would be dealt with according to the law without compromise.

    Amongst the several policies implemented by the government to combat illegal mining activities across the country is Operation Vanguard(OV). Vanguard, a joint military-police operation to combat galamsey, was initiated in mid-2017.

    However, the military was abruptly withdrawn from Vanguard in March 2020, only to be reinstalled in late April 2021. Later on, operation halt was introduced.

    Operation halt

    According to research by the Danish Institute for International Studies, Operation Halt was established to end the illegal exploitation of another natural resource, timber, especially in Brong-Ahafo and the Western Region.

    Operation Halt I ended in December 2021, with the 10th phase of the operation being launched against the activities of illegal miners on the River Birim and its tributaries in the Eastern Region.

    However, on December 21st, 2021, Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, George Mireku Duker, announced that measures were being put in place to relaunch Operation Halt.

    Source: The Independent Ghana

  • ‘Galamsey’ fight full of lies, give us a break! – Otumfuo tells government

    The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has described the country’s fight against galamsey as a charade.

    Addressing sub-chiefs in the region at the first General Meeting of the Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs in 2022, the Ashanti Kingdom’s paramount chief bemoaned the government’s failure to effectively combat the canker, despite measures in place to curb it.

    Dissatisfied with the situation, the Asantehene referred to the efforts as a sham.

    “I hate these lies. The fight is full of lies. I hate lies. They should give us a break. It is full of lies,” he stressed.

    Venting his spleen, he alleged that the government is very much aware of the financiers and true perpetrators of illegal mining, however, they have employed gimmicks to shield such persons.

    This, according to him, is the main factor derailing the fight against galamsey.

    “Are they saying they don’t know those behind galamsey in Ghana? The gold ends up being sold abroad. So who is behind the sale of gold abroad? Is it not the financier? How come he is not arrested?” he asked.

    “You send military men to galamsey sites; they end up arresting labourers covered with mud. Can this man be the one behind galamsey? This is someone hired by a big fish to work at his site. Who is the final receiver of the gold? How come the one who bought excavators is left off the hook?” a baffled Asantehene could not hold back his frustration.

    He believes once the financier is arrested, galamsey will be a thing of the past.

    Expressing his frustrations further, he noted that “the military as usual photographs a poor labourer whose body is always covered in dirt; a man who receives partly 200, 300 cedis from a financier. Then they say they have arrested galamsey operators. You will find nothing on that man when he is searched,” he noted.

    “What then happens to the financier? How come he is not arrested,” he further asked.

    The Galamsey fight

    Recall that President Akufo-Addo in 2017, put his presidency on the line with a commitment to end illegal small-scale mining, popularly called galamsey, in Ghana.

    However, five years down the line, the galamsey fight has been described by many as a lost battle, following failed efforts to efficiently deal with the menace.

    At the meeting of the chiefs, the Asantehene bemoaned the adverse impact of galamsey and its related activities on the environment and questioned his sub-chiefs on their efforts to curb the menace.

    Also, he cautioned them against taking incentives from perpetrators of illegal mining, adding that “whoever has benefited financially from galamsey will surely pay for it.”

    Source: The Independent Ghana

  • I’ll end galamsey before end of my tenure – President Akufo-Addo assures

    The President Akufo-Addo, has emphasised his stance on illegal mining and said he will put a stop to it before his tenure of office ends.

    He mentioned that of late, there had been so much talk about the illegal mining activities, popularly called “galamsey” and that “means that serious work to end the menace was ongoing.”

    The President had paid a courtesy call on the Asantehene at the Manhyia Palace, yesterday, as part of a four-day working tour in some parts of the Ashanti Region.

    Addo (right) exchanging greetings with Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II

    Prior to the interaction, the President and his entourage had worshiped at the St Cyprian’s Diocese at Fanti Newtown, where a visiting Bishop of Warrington, Liverpool in the United Kingdom, Bishop Beverly A. Mason, preached the sermon and offered a special prayer for him.

     Many people, the President noted, had been saying my government had done nothing in the Ashanti Region, “but after the four-day tour, they would see what have been done.”

    As part of the tour, which begun yesterday, the President would inaugurate  some projects such as the residential accommodation for the Court of Appeal judges at Danyame.

    The sod cutting for the commencement of work on the complex which would be  permanent residential facilities for Court of Appeal judges, was performed by the President with the support of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and Chief Justice Anin Yeboah, on April 20, this year.

    With the collaboration of the Ministry of Local Government and the District Assembly Common Fund, 20 townhouses and a guesthouse have been built to be used as permanent residences for Court of Appeal Judges, who would be mandated to handle cases in the northern part of the country.

    He would also commission the ECG KATH 33/11kv primary substation constructed under the EDSTREP project, at Subin, in Kumasi.

    There would be a durbar of chiefs and people of Toase for the inauguration  of the Town’s Magistrate Court.

    The President would have a crunch meeting with MMDCEs, Regional Executives and Constituency chairmen only, perhaps to reiterate his stance to stop illegal mining(galamsey) and to punish culprits in the party.

    Other programmes outlined included the inauguration of maize processing factory at NsutaKwaman under the 1D1F and also inspect agenda 111 project at Beposo.

    Inspection of Anwia-Nkwanta-Obuasi, Santasi-Apire roads would also be undertaken.

     

  • ‘Give us a break,’ – Asantehene hits hard at government’s anti-galamsey fight

    The government’s anti-galamsey policies and strategies have come under fire from Asantehene, who claims they are shrouded in falsehood.

    According to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the fight would remain a sham unless the appropriate individuals, particularly financiers, who are responsible for the illegal mining scourge are identified.

    Addressing members of the Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs, an unhappy Asantehene insisted that the arrest of laborers at galamsey sites, instead of the site owners, smacks of failure.

    “I hate these lies. The fight is full of lies. I hate lies. They should give us a break.  It is full of lies,” he said in Twi.

    The government’s fight against illegal mining has hit a snag despite the introduction of military-led interventions such as Operation Vanguard, Galamstop and Operation Halt.

    A recent Joynews Hotline Documentary, “Destruction for Gold”, shed light on destruction of farmlands, forest reserves and water bodies by illegal mining operations.

    An emotional Asantehene described as worrying, the trend where wrong people are targeted with no effort to arrest financiers, including those who procure excavators and heavy equipment, for the illegal act.

    He also wants those who benefit from gold produced from illegal activities tracked and brought to book.

    “You send military men to galamsey sites; they end up arresting labourers covered with mud. Can this man be the one behind galamsey?

    “This is someone hired by a big fish to work at his site. Who is the final receiver of the gold?

    “How come the one who bought excavators is left off the hook? The military as usual photograph a poor labourer whose body is always covered in dirt; a man who receives partly 200, 300 cedis from a financier.

    “Then they say they have arrested galamsey operators. You will find nothing on that man when he is searched.

    What then happens to the financier? How come he is not arrested,” he said in Twi.

    “Are they saying they don’t know those behind galamsey in Ghana?  The gold ends up being sold abroad. So who is behind the sale of gold abroad? Is it not the financier? How come he is not arrested?

    Once the financier is arrested, we will put an end to galamsey so our water bodies can be saved,” he added.

    Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs www,myjoyonline.com
    Members of the Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs

    The Asantehene has also warned that chiefs under his authority who profit from the illegal mining business would pay dearly for their deeds.

    “Whoever has benefited financially from galamsey will surely pay for it. All of us would pay dearly if we decide to tackle the menace lackadaisically.

    As for the government, they know the culprits but has failed to arrest them.

    Their own is full of lies; they should give us a break

    We are partly to be blamed. All of us must accept our mistakes and move the fight forward.”

    Friday’s meeting was the first General Meeting of the Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs in 2022 chaired by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.

    Source: Myjoyonline

     

  • Government committed to stopping illegal mining – Abu Jinapor

    The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Samuel Abu Jinapor, has reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to the fight against illegal small-scale mining.

    He warned that any individual engaged in or funding illegal small-scale mining would face the full rigours of the law.

    The Minister, who was briefing the press in Accra on Thursday on the renewed efforts in the military operations, also known as Operation Halt II, said the government would prosecute all persons engaged in this menace.

    “Under the Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Act, 2019 (Act 995, the punishment for foreigners engaged in illegal mining is 20 years imprisonment, plus a fine of not less than 1.2 million Ghana Cedis, plus deportation after serving the sentence.

    And for Ghanaians, the minimum punishment is 15 years imprisonment and a fine of
    GHC120,000.00,” he stated.

    The Minister indicated that Operation Halt II would continue to support measures put in place to ensure that river bodies and forests are rid of illegal miners such as the continuous declaration of river bodies as red zones for mining, suspensions of reconnaissance and prospecting activities in Forest Reserves and the procurement of speed boats to patrol the river
    bodies.

    Mr Abu Jinapor said he joined the Attorney-General in court for the prosecution of four Chinese nationals involved in illegal mining, including Aisha Huang.
    “The Office of the Attorney-General is working to ensure expeditious trial in these matters and if found culpable, they will be made to face the full rigours of the law,” he stated.

    According to the Minister, the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, met with the
    National House of Chiefs and urged them to rally behind the government in this fight.
    “This is because, every galamsey site, falls within the jurisdiction of traditional authority. And if the traditional authorities stand with us and we can come to grips with this matter.

    “The President also met with MMDCEs and has charged them to ensure that they rid their jurisdiction of illegal small-scale mining,” he added.

    He disclosed that the government has rolled out advertisements on television and radio, to educate the general public about the dire consequences of illegal mining.

    “So that people like the 62-year-old man who sold his cocoa farm to galamseyers for GHC30,000.00 will appreciate the consequences of their actions on the nation and future generations,” he emphasized.

  • Media Coalition Against Galamsey suggests ban on all surface mining

    The Media Coalition Against Galamsey (MCAG) wants an immediate ban on all forms of small-scale and surface mining in the country as part of efforts to curb mining activities destroying the environment.

    The directive among six others will “allow our water bodies and forests to begin to be restored and strategize a way to bring sanity to all surface mining activities in Ghana”, the Coalition said in a statement.

    The group believes that urgent and radical measures need to be adopted by the Government that will result in a positive change in the state of our water bodies and the preservation of our environment.

    1. Order all small-scale and surface mining activities to stop IMMEDIATELY to allow our water bodies and forests to begin to be restored, and strategize a way to bring sanity to all surface mining activities in Ghana.

    2. Ensure that the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended, is enforced without fear or favour. ‘Powerful’ people involved in Galamsey activities in the country should be exposed and sanctioned to serve as a deterrent.

    3. Arrest, investigate and prosecute everyone involved in the illegality including the Akonta Mining Ltd and its Directors, Bernard Bosiako and Kwame Antwi, for illegally mining in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve as well as breaching (Section 99(6) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended by mining very close along the banks of Tano River.

    4. Sack any MCE/DCE in whose areas of jurisdiction illegal mining has taken place and still continues based on evidence on the ground.

    5. Ministers and their deputies, whose responsibility it is to regulate the mining sector, have failed Ghana. They must also be sacked for disappointing present and unborn generations.

    6. Explore the provision of gainful, alternative employment to persons engaged in Galamsey.

    7. Ensure that the above punitive measures are implemented before Farmer’s Day this year as these activities directly impact adversely the efforts of our gallant farmers.

    The Coalition maintains there is and can be no conceivable justification for illegal mining to continue in Ghana.

    “The Media Coalition Against Galamsey is therefore calling on well-meaning Ghanaians, Civil Society Organizations to join hands with the media to help mount continued pressure on our Leaders, both Political and Traditional, to help save Ghana’s water bodies and preserve our environment for future generations.”

    “Losing this war is not an option. Irresponsible and unsustainable mining is an existential threat and should not be countenanced”.

    Source: Citinews

  • Don’t tarnish your image in defending accused illegal miners – Amaliba tells Blay

    Director of Legal Affairs for the National Democratic Congress, Abraham Amaliba has advised the former New Patriotic Party (NPP) Chairman, Freddie Blay to recuse himself from defending Chinese illegal miners in court.

    The former Chairman is representing some Chinese nationals standing trial for their alleged involvement in illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey in the country.

    Critics say Mr. Blay’s move defeats the government’s effort in fighting the menace which has left many water bodies and forest reserves destroyed.

    Commenting on the issue on Starr Today with Joshua Kodjo Mensah, the NDC’s legal director indicated that Mr. Blay should not be seen as compounding issues for the government as it wages war against the galamsey menace.

    “So for the sake of the people of this country who are also fighting the galamsey menace,let me not involve myself in the matter. Sometimes your conscience should tell you what you should do.

    “What has even compounded the issue is that in this whole saga of galamsey, the government officials have been fingered to be engaging in it. That is a new dimension.

    “Our fight against galamsey, we are now seeing that names of appointees have been mentioned. Then you (Freddie Blay) compound the problem for the government by defending those who have been mentioned as accomplices,” Mr. Amaliba stated.

    He continued: “I think he is a senior lawyer, it is not always that you follow money. He will get his money alright but his image will be tarnished.

    “I have done similar cases and where I feel that the people see my services will create the wrong impression I’ve given those cases to colleagues, who are not in the same situation that I find myself.”

    The NDC legal director further added that Mr. Blay should hand over the case to any of his lawyers who are not connected to the NPP to handle it.

    “Don’t forget Nkrabea Effah is also there as a lawyer and you are also there as lawyer and the government officials have been fingered as contributing to the menace,” he said.

  • ‘The right thing must be done’ – Ashigbey on Freddie Blay, illegal miners case

    The Media Coalition against Galamsey has expressed concern about the representation of four alleged illegal miners by law firm of the former National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Freddie Blay.

    The accused persons are being tried alongside galamsey kingpin, Aisha Huang, for engaging in activities of illegal mining.

    However, critics have questioned the commitment of the government to the fight with the development of the legal representation of the accused miners.

    Speaking to Citi News on the matter, the Convener for the Coalition, Dr. Ken Ashigbey, said though the situation presents risks, the role of the media is critical to ensure that the tenets of the law are upheld.

    “It’s a wrong impression that some people have. The fact that my law firm is defending them does not mean that government supports and is involved in illegal mining. We all support efforts against galamsey. Personally, I am against galamsey.”

    “This does not mean that innocent people should not be represented. Let’s wait for the court to decide. At the end of the day, we will know the truth, that my clients are innocent. They have done nothing wrong and are not involved in galamsey”, he added.

    Source: Citinews

  • Aisha Huang has employed only NPP lawyers since 2017 – Ablakwa provides evidence

    Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has observed a close relationship between illegal small-scale mining kingpin, Aisha Huang and lawyers belonging to the governing New Patriotic Party, NPP.

    Ablakwa, while commenting on the recent disclosure that four accomplices standing trial with Ms. Huang in a case before the Accra Circuit Court, were represented by immediate past NPP National Chairman, Freddie Blay; said he wasn’t in the least surprised.

    He revealed that as far back as 2017, when Huang got entangled in legal issues, her first two lawyers were affiliated with the NPP but the government pushed for a change in lawyers for Huang.

    “After her first arrest, Aisha Huang’s earlier lawyers of choice were Mr. Bernard Owiredu Donkor and Mr. Ellis Owusu-Fordwouh,” Ablakwa said in a post dated October 12.

    The former he noted went on to become the NPP’s Parliamentary Candidate for Akwatia in the 2020 General Elections.

    Aisha Huang’s current lawyer is a former Berekum MP, Nkrabeah Effah Dartey, who has been her representative since 2018.

    It emerged only yesterday that Freddie Blay was the main lawyer for Huang’s four co-accused in a case related to galamsey.

    Lucy Ekeleba Blay, a private legal practitioner, said she was holding brief for Freddie Blay in the case of the four accomplices in the persons of Gao Jin Cheng, Lu Qi Jun, Haibin Go and Zhang Zhipeng.

    The plea of three of the accused persons has been taken with that of the last deferred due to the unavailability of a Vietnamese translator.

    Meanwhile, Godfred Yeboah Dame, the Attorney-General, indicated to the court the state’s readiness to expeditiously dispose of the case and will be willing to try the case on a day-after-day basis.

    He observed that the judge superintending over the case has “also indicated his inclination to conduct the case in that manner.”

    “In respect of Aisha Huang, we have filed most of the documents to be relied on, we have filed witness statements of four witnesses. We only need to fill about four more,” Dame added.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • There won’t be a miscarriage of justice – NPP on Freddie Blay’s role in Aisha Huang trial

    The governing New Patriotic Party, NPP, is of the view that justice will be served in the matter involving the state versus Aisha Huang and four others in a case involving illegal small-scale mining activities.

    This according to the party is despite the fact that lawyers affiliated with it are representing the accused persons.

    Speaking on Accra-based Joy FM, the party’s Director of Communications, Richard Ahiagbah maintained that the court will at all times deal with evidence put before it by parties to the case.

    He contended further that it was within the right of an accused person to get legal representation in court and consequently it was also right for the NPP-affiliated lawyers to render professional services to such persons.

    “If it is a matter of conscience then we should say that there shouldn’t be legal representation for criminals or for somebody who has killed somebody or is alleged to have killed somebody. As conscience will dictate, we should all abhor such behavior and therefore no lawyer as matter of conscience should want to defend any such act

    “I don’t think there will be any miscarriage of justice because the lawyers in the case are NPP related or have affiliations with the New Patriotic Party. The idea is that every client deserves a representation.

    “Our laws allows for that, so the client have exercised their right to have legal representation and those happens to be people affiliated with the NPP. I don’t think that necessarily changes the rules of the court which is evidence,” Ahiagbah said.

    It emerged that former NPP Chairman, Freddie Blay, is the main lawyer for Aisha Huang’s accomplices namely Gao Jin Cheng, Lu Qi Jun, Haibin Go and Zhang Zhipeng, in the prosecution.

    Aisha Huang together with her four other accomplices made a court appearance yesterday October 11 for the state to continue with their prosecution.

    Private attorney Lucy Ekeleba Blay said in court that she was holding brief for Freddie Blay in the case of the four accomplices. Another NPP affiliated lawyer, Nkrabea Effah Darteh is representing Aisha Huang.

    Meanwhile, Attorney General Godfred Dame has indicated his readiness to fast-track the prosecution of Aisha Huang for her past and previous crimes.

    Ms. Huang and her accomplices have been remanded into custody until November 24, 2022 following the judge’s refusal to grant them bail.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • Deputy Lands Minister declares war on illegal miners

    The Deputy Lands Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, responsible for Lands  Forestry Hon. Benito Owusu-Bio has sounded a clear warning to illegal miners to stay off forest reserves as he stressed that regardless of positions, they will be driven out and sanctioned.” No matter who you are, we don’t care, if you enter the forest reserves we will drive you out and sanction you as well”

    He intimated that the forest reserves are not for mining but was quick to add that unless for exceptional cases like that of Chirano mines and Newmont who have been granted legal licences to operate “but that doesn’t mean that anyone can just jump into the forest to mine and if we find you like that, we will deal with you”

    The Deputy Minister said this when he paid a working visit to Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve to ascertain the veracity of news of Akonta Mining Company still operating in the forest even after the directive by the Lands Minister to the Forestry Commission to halt the company’s operations in the Forest through a Press Release on 30th September, 2022.

    It will be recalled that the Ministry’s Press statement pointed out that “while Akonta Mining Limited has a mining lease to undertake mining operations in some parts of Somreboi, outside the Forest Reserve, the company has no mineral rights to undertake mining operations in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve.

    After an aerial view of the entire forest, Hon. Benito Owusu-Bio and his team spotted about three site in the forests with some equipment but no operations and immediately charged the forestry officers to burn and decommission everything on the site upon arrival.

    The team also discovered a different group of illegal miners, working along the banks and edges of the river and a few in the forest. Per the map guiding that aerial view 98% of the miners were outside the restricted area, which are the banks and edges while the remaining 2% worked in the Forest reserves itself. It could however not be determined which mining company these miners belong to.

    Addressing the issue of this new group of illegal miners found mining on the river he said “these are not small scale miners, these are obviously people who are just burnt on destroying our forests, waterbodies and the entire environment but I cannot tell wether that is Akonta or any other company because this is not organised so I can say it’s purely illegal mining that is going on there!”


    He assured the media that as a matter of urgency the Ministry will unleash Operations halt II to the area who with speed boats and the right equipment will bring a halt to all activities ongoing in the river. “With what we have seen here, I will report to the Minister and we would immediately see how we can strategize and bring the operationas to a halt with the speed boats recently pocured to chase them out”

    He also noted that together with the Forestry Commission and Samartex, a timber company in the enclave they will soon beef up the number of forest guards who patrol the 300sq kilometer forest with support from the military.

    The Deputy Lands Minister warned that with the help of the military, the Ministry and the Forestry Commission will embark on similar operations in all forest reserves across the country to ensure they rid all forests of illegalities of any sort. “This will not stop here, we know this is not the only forest reserves under attack and so we will continue to ensure all forest with any illegal activity is brought under scrutiny”

    Hon. Benito called on the community members and traditional leaders of the Amenfi West Municipality of the Western Region to join in the fight against illegal mining for their own sake and for the betterment of the environment and the country.

    The Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, Mr. John Allotey on his part gave details to the extent of the devastation saying out of a total area of 205sq kilometer, close to about 0.12sq kilometer of the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve has been impacted upon by the illegal activities.

    He noted that since August when the Commission started having the challenge of groups trooping into the forest to mine, the Commission have sent out the military to the area about 8 times all in efforts to keep them out of the forest.

    He assured that heeding to the directives of the Hon. Minister, the Commission is committed to ensuring that all those found culpable to this matter will be dealt with in accordance with the Law.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • Lands Minister defends Mireku Duker over galamsey allegations

    The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has jumped to the defence of his Deputy, George Mireku Duker who has been hit with allegations of involving himself in illegal mining activities.

    According to the minister, he has no reason to believe such allegations as he is confident that his deputy would not be involved in such illegality.

    “I think that the matters are still at play and the minister has denied it flatly. I have full confidence in the minister in my ministry and I don’t think he will ever be involved in any such conduct,” the minister told the press on Tuesday, October 11, 2022.

    Amidst public calls on the government to take drastic measures in the fight against galamsey, George Mireku Duker and some members of the current government, as well as members of the ruling New Patriotic Party, have been accused of being involved in galamsey.

    But the minister for lands and natural resources emphasised that it will only be through an investigation that the allegations against his deputy can be established or otherwise.

    “They have denied it and if there is any substance to any such allegations, I think the best way to proceed is to conduct investigations,” he said.

    Mr Jianpor who was addressing the press after alleged Chinese galamsey kingpin, Aisha Huang was brought to the Accra High Court noted government’s commitment to fight galamsey by all means possible, including through prosecutions.

    “As you can tell, this Aisha Huang lady, the government of President Akufo-Addo is committed to bring her and other persons who are involved in illegal mining to face the full rigours of our laws in this country,” he said.

    Aisha Huang remanded indefinitely for trial

    Chinese National, Aisha Huang, who is in court for her involvement in illegal mining activities (galamsey) in Ghana, has been remanded to police custody by the Criminal Division of the Accra High Court.

    Presiding Judge Lydia Osei Marfo, during a sitting on Friday, October 11, 2022, refused the plea of her lawyer, Nkrabea Effah Dartey, after the latter argued that his client deserved bail.

    According to the judge, all arguments previously made against his plea for bail, including his client’s flight risk, remain and will not be changed.

    She added that his constant presence in court with his client would be the only way to ensure the case is heard accordingly for the determination of his client’s fate.

    State Prosecutor Godfred Dame, on his part, reiterated government’s commitment to ensuring the case is duly heard and that the accused are prosecuted if found guilty.

    Aisha Huang is in court over charges of mining without a license and engaging in the sale and purchase of minerals, four other charges, including undertaking a mining operation without a license.

    She is also facing four other charges, including undertaking a mining operation without a license, facilitating the participation of persons engaged in a mining operation, illegal employment of foreign nationals, and entering Ghana while prohibited from re-entry were filed at the Criminal Division of the Accra High Court on Friday, September 16, 2022.

    Her case has since been adjourned to October 24, 2022, for case management.

  • NPP people are the problem in the fight against galamsey – Titus Glover

    Former Member of Parliament for Tema East, Titus Nii Kwartei Glover, has blamed elements within the ruling New Patriotic Party for the government’s failure to defeat illegal mining.

    According to the former MP, while some members of the party are embroiled in the galamsey menace, those appointed at the local level to fight the menace have failed to discharge their mandate.

    “The difficulty is our own people in there. My own NPP people. Do you think I am afraid to talk about it? It is my own NPP people who are making the fight against galamsey difficult. It is a fact. The law says don’t mine on our river bodies.

    “If the soldiers are sent in to drive away the galamseyers and they leave, the District Security Council led by the MCE what do they do? The Regional Security Council is also responsible for security at that level what do they do? So every time soldiers have to be moved from Accra to these areas to fight the menace? That is not good,” he said on Adom TV’s morning programme.

    Rampant illegal mining activities have resulted in the degradation of several forest covers and the pollution of various water bodies.

    This has resulted in a renewed public discussion on illegal mining activities.

    Various calls have been made for the government to take drastic steps to curb the menace.

    Last week, President Akufo-Addo met with members of the National House of Chiefs and MMDCEs in galamsey areas.

    The meeting by the president was to fashion out some solutions to the galamsey issues.

     

  • What is your vision? I’ll school you when I become president – Odike to Ashanti chiefs

    The founder and leader of the United Progressive Party (UPP), Akwasi Addai Odike, has accused traditional authorities in Ghana, particularly chiefs in the Ashanti Region, of ruling their subjects without a vision.

    According to him, most of the chiefs are only interested in the pride and pageantry that comes with being chiefs and do not have any plans to improve the livelihood of their subjects.

    Odike accused the chiefs of selling off all the lands that have been entrusted to them to illegal miners whose activities are now endangering the lives of their subjects.

    “The lives of your subjects are not important to you (the chiefs). You are only interested in selling our lands to enrich yourself. Akufo-Addo has only two years of his term as president left. He will not be president forever. But you, the chief, will be chief till you die, and all the destruction you are causing in the environment with the help of Akufo-Addo will be your burden.

    “…When I become president, I will school you on leadership. You people (the chiefs) do not understand leadership. We don’t rule people by oppressing them. We rule with a vision. What is your vision? Tell us the vision you have for the Ashanti land.

    “How can you call yourself leaders? People travel abroad and make money to come and bid to be chiefs. As they are bidding to become chiefs, all they think about is how they are going to sell lands to enrich themselves. Their mindset is to only sell land; they don’t think about what is going to happen to their grandchildren,” he said in Twi in an Onua TV interview monitored by GhanaWeb.

    He added that should he become president, he will review the country’s land tenure so that chiefs will not have 100 percent ownership of lands under their jurisdiction.

    The Kumasi Traditional Council, in August 2022, performed rituals to banish Odike for accusing Ashanti chiefs of condoning illegal mining.

    According to the Kumasi Traditional Council, the businessman turned politician made inciteful statements that the Council deemed to be distasteful, unsubstantiated, and meant to dent the image of Manhyia.

    Odike, in an interview on Oyerepa Radio, berated the chiefs for failing to help end the ‘galamsey’ menace.

    He went ahead to urge the youth to rise and demonstrate against the chiefs if the traditional rulers fail to come clean on their roles in or stance against illegal mining.

  • Our involvement in galamsey fight was very successful – Ghana Armed Forces

    The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has said its involvement in the fight against illegal mining in the country was a very successful one and something that Ghanaians would not believe really happened.

    The military also described their role in the fight against the menace as massive and unbelievable.

    “There is a lot of success being achieved and I think that is not what comes out most of the time because in terms of the operations that we conduct, ideally, it shouldn’t be something that we report on an everyday basis that will come up with certain situations and report to Ghana”. Director Public Relations Ghana Armed Forces, Naval Captain Michael Addo Larbi said this in an interview with Citi TV monitored by MyNewsGh.com.

    “In terms of the roles of the armed forces and the number of seizure of excavators that we do, some that have been immobilized or destroyed and the number of equipment in terms of structures are massive. It is not something that you would even believe that this is what was going on”, Naval Captain Michael Addo Larbi added.

    The statement comes from the military comes a few days after the President of the Republic Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo addressed the House of Chiefs in Kumasi on the fight against illegal mining and the way out.

    Naval Captain Michael Addo Larbi further noted that, there is more to be done as a country in the fight against illegal mining adding that, there should be a collaborative effort by all stakeholders.

    “But there is a lot of success being achieved. There is more to be done but a collaborative effort is what is needed at this material time”., he urged.

  • Baako, American Amb. must expose ‘powerful forces’ fueling galamsey – Apaak

    The Builsa South Member of Parliament, Clement Apaak, has urged the Veteran Journalist, Abdul Malik Kweku Baako Jnr and the American Ambassador to Ghana to expose the “powerful forces” fueling and profiting from illegal mining.

    According to him, failure of the duo to expose these persons makes them become accessories to the illegal activity.

    “Who are these powerful forces we are told are fueling illegal mining (galamsey). So powerful the state or its institutions and agencies are incapable of dealing with them?

    “Is it that the nation is powerless or those to take action have been compromised, rendering them powerless? Why are those who know the “powerful forces” fueling and profiting from illegal mining not telling us who these forces are? Mr. Apaak quizzed.

    He continued: “Kweko Baako, and recently the American Ambassador to Ghana, have referenced these powerful forces. They ought to expose them, if not they are accessories.”

    His comments come on the back of Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abdulai Jinapor directing the Forestry Commission to stop operations by Akonta Mining Limited in the Tano Nimiri Forest in the Western North region.

    In a statement, the Ministry noted that Akonta Mining Limited which is believed to belong to the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP, Bernard Antwi Boasiako a.k.a Chairman Wontumi has no mining right to operate in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve.

    The bold action of the Minister for Lands has been widely commended by stakeholders.

    However, the Builsa South lawmaker says the government must show commitment to the fight against the illegal mining menace and deal with offenders within the government circles.

    Meanwhile, the opposition NDC has also served notice that they will investigate and prosecute Chairman Wontumi, Ekow Awusi, and Charles Bissue among others for their involvement in galamsey in the country.

    According to the party, the President’s call to action on the illegal mining menace remains mere rhetoric if it is not backed by the appropriate action such as going after his offending appointees.

    “We demand the immediate prosecution of all government functionaries and NPP officials who have engaged themselves in illegal mining (galamsey) activities such as Charles Bissue, Chairman Wontumi, Andy Owusu, Ekow Awusi, Prof. Frimpomg Boateng among others. This will be the first step to redemption and serve as a deterrent to other people within your government and party. You need to send a clear signal to Ghanaians that anyone caught in “galamsey” will be dealt with without fear or favour, regardless of party colours,” the party said at a press conference Thursday.

    The National Communications officer of the Party Sammy Gyamfi who addressed the media also noted “We demand that all the so-called illegal mining companies like the Akonta Mining Limited which belongs to Chairman Wontumi and Heritage Imperial Mining Company which belongs to Mr. Donald Enstuah, a known financier of the NPP who have invaded forest reserves without any mining leases or permits, must be closed down and prosecuted. The assets of these companies must be confiscated and their owners surcharged with costs of the destruction of those forest reserves.

    “We demand that all security personnel complicit in illegal mining activities should be made to face internal investigations and discharged from the various services to serve as a deterrent to others”.

  • NDC has no moral right to criticize our galamsey fight – NPP

    The governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) has taken a swipe at the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) after the latter described its effort in fighting illegal mining in the country as a scam.

    The NPP Deputy Director of Communications, Ernest Kofi Owusu Bempah in a statement said the NDC’s conduct is “like the pot calling the kettle black because their track record in the galamsey menace is horrible.”

    Mr. Owusu Bempah accused the NDC of enabling and festering galamsey when they had the opportunity to pull the plug.

    “We are talking about a party that shamelessly launched the Youth in Small Scale Mining programme in the Eastern Region, which apparently opened the floodgate for galamsey.”

    “Of course, the galamsey situation got so bad under Mahama in 2015, such that he had to hang his shame on the people of Kyebi, tagging the place as the headquarters of Galamsay in the country.”

    He further accused the NDC of enabling galamsey kingpin, Aisha Huang to thrive in Ghana.

    “For those that may have missed this; the erstwhile Mahama government issued an infinite resident permit to Aisha Huang.”

    “Precisely on 28th March 2015, Aisha Huang was given an indefinite resident permit to live here in perpetuity and to engage in her illegal activities. This happened under the Mahama administration. Meanwhile, she was unsuccessful in getting the permit during the President Kufour era.”

    “So you see, any dastardly attempt by the NDC to rationalize the political economy of galamsay must be roundedly condemned. It is beyond dispute that under John Mahama-led government, the national record of the deleterious impact of galamsay left a lot to be desired. It was simply unprecedented.”

    He explained that all the Akufo-Addo administration has been doing is simply managing a very bad situation as well as it can by the deft and relatively constructive application of the statutory laws of the land.

    The National Communications Officer of the NDC, Sammy Gyamfi while addressing a press conference in Accra on Thursday, October 6, 2022, said the President is not backing his efforts with action.

    He described the measures and strategies put in place by government to win the war against the illegality as a clear deception, alleging that some members of the NPP and government are behind galamsey in the country.

  • Stop the political game-play; I’ve long been exonerated by CID – Bissue replies NDC

    Former Secretary to the Inter-Ministerial Committee on illegal Mining, Charles Bissue has responded to the attacks by the largest opposition NDC calling for his prosecution in the infamous galamsey fraud matter.

    The National Democratic Congress (NDC)on Thursday asked President Akufo-Addo to show the seriousness of his fight against ‘galamsey’ by prosecuting his officials who have been found complicit in illegal mining immediately.

    National Communication Officer of the party, Sammy Gyamfi at a press conference said the government is being rhetorical rather than taking action against the menace.

    “Ghanaians are tired of your flowery speeches and useless rhetoric. The so-called fight against ‘galamsey’ has been a spectacular failure and the only way to salvage it is for you to man up and finally begin to crack the whip on your errant appointees and NPP functionaries who are neck-deep in the ‘galamsey’ business.

    “We demand the immediate prosecution of all NPP functionaries and NPP officials who have engaged in illegal mining such as Charles Bissue, Chairman Wontumi, the evidence is clear, Andy Owusu, Ekow Ewusi, Prof. Frimpong Boateng among others,” he stated.

    But Charles Bissue has rejected the allegations of fraud cited in the NDC Presser on the galamsey menace.

    “My attention has been drawn to the scathing attack on my person by the National Communications Officer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sammy Gyamfi in his press conference that responded to President H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo’s renewed assurance in the fight against illegal mining. In that press conference aired on various media platforms on Thursday 6 October 2022, Mr. Sammy Gyamfi malign and traduce me by referencing a rather doctored and propaganda-induced documentary authored by Tiger Eye P.I’s Anas Aremeyaw Anas,” said Charles Bissue in his press statement.

    He maintained his innocence in the matter saying the public has been misled to accept and believe the narrative by Anas Aremeyaw Anas about the money he was seen taking in the video.

    “As I have said countless times, that money was not a bribe, and I did not make any demands whatsoever from any operative or beneficiary of illegal mining while I served on the IMCIM.

    “The money in question was a donation from the NPP Chairman of the Ashanti
    Region, Bernard Antwi Boasiako alias Chairman Wontumi, to the then NPP
    Western Regional Organiser, Abdul Ganiyu for a party event organsied in the
    Western Region.

    “For the malice and character assassination that Anas and his sponsors had in
    mind, the public was denied the audio recordings and full disclosure of the
    purpose of that money handed to me.

    “It was uncovered that a former employee of the IMCIM, Francis Owusu Akyaw, whom I fired for unsatisfactory conduct sponsored the video recording of the documentary.

    “Francis Owusu Akyaw admitted to the Police of having commissioned that
    recording. His nomination for the parliamentary candidate in the Juaben Constituency was subsequently declined as a result of this.

    “This same Francis Owusu Akyaw is a named beneficiary of a mining firm [DML, as named in the leaked will] co-owned by the late Sir John of the Forestry Commission.”

    Charles Bissue Exonerated by CID

    The Criminal Investigations Department(CID) of the Ghana Police Service in 2019 exonerated Charles Bissue from allegations of corruption.

    After thorough investigations, the CID, in a final report, concluded that Mr Bissue did not circumvent the laid down procedures of the IMCIM to favour ORR Resource Enterprise, the company at the centre of the incident.

    In a letter to the President in March 2019, Mr Bissue, also a Presidential Staffer at the time, decided to step aside to avail himself for investigations after he had allegedly been accused by Anas Aremeyaw Anas’s Tiger Eye PI documentary on galamsey fraud.

    The documentary alleged that the secretary was involved in alleged shady deals to facilitate processes for ORR Resource Enterprise.

    But a letter written to Ampofo, Oppong and Associates, lawyers for Mr Bissue, by the CID on its investigations into the matter exonerated Mr Bissue from any wrongdoing.

  • ‘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.”

     

  • 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.”

     

  • Almost everything is amiss, we couldn’t even protect our gold and other resources – Kwesi Pratt

    Seasoned journalist, Kwesi Pratt Jnr, has expressed frustrations over the state of Ghana‘s economy and the attitude of the citizens.

    Discussing national issues bordering on illegal mining (galamsey) and terrorism among others, Mr. Pratt was extremely worried about the future of the country.

    He condemned practices where people build houses at unauthorized sites such as waterways and places earmarked for road networks and so forth.

    He made reference to current conflict on lands at Weija Gbawe where a dam has been constructed to control the flow of the river in the area but the place has been encroached by settlers who have erected buildings there and now risk their houses being demolished.

    He also raised concerns over other places which are designated to be flight zones, hence no building nor project should be constructed there but all warnings have been ignored and today these zones have turned into a real estate dwelling for the rich in society.

    Mr. Pratt also complained about the indiscriminate use of sirens by drivers which, he stressed, should be a grave matter of concern to the State authorities because it could create an opportunity for insurgents to enter the country.

    In Kwesi Pratt’s estimation of the country, almost everything is amiss in Ghana.

    “What one thing is going well in Ghana?”, he asked and challenged “somebody should just tell me one specific thing that’s going on well”.

    With all these and many issues broached by the Editor-in-Chief of the Insight newspaper during Peace FM’s “Kokrokoo” show Tuesday morning, Mr. Pratt concluded that if nothing is done to stop these practices, a time may come that every Ghanaian would opt to run from the country.

    “We couldn’t protect our gold. We didn’t get any benefits from it and it’s also destroyed our lands. We have also built houses in the waterways. We are also cutting down our cocoa trees. We are also being threatened by Boko Haram. What is left again? Somebody should tell me. What is left is for us to run from here?”, he questioned.

  • Akufo-Addo to meet MMDCEs, House of Chiefs over galamsey

    President Nana Akufo-Addo will be meeting the National House of Chiefs and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives to discuss the problem of illegal mining in Ghana.

    The meeting will take place later today, Wednesday, October 5, 2022, at Manhyia in the Ashanti Region, one of the regions worst hit by illegal mining.

    The leadership of the National Association of Local Authority of Ghana (NALAG) has also said it will soon hold a meeting with various local government heads to outline measures to support the fight against illegal mining.

    This follows indications that some MMDCEs are involved in Illegal mining activities in their jurisdictions.

    Speaking to Citi News, Chairman for Public Relations for NALAG, Clement Wilkinson says all local authorities must back the government’s effort to fight galamsey.

    “All MMDCEs should be careful of giving business operating permits on our water bodies,” he said.

    Source: Citinews

  • Illegal mining: Government has failed- Concerned citizen

    A concerned citizen, Kwaku Antwi-Boasiako, says government has failed in the fight against illegal mining, also known as galamsey.

    Government has been fighting illegal mining for many years, but the efforts and investments have all proved futile.

    In 2017, the Akufo-Addo government launched a joint Police and Military taskforce named ‘Operation Vanguard’ to rid the country of illegal miners.

    It was during the launch that the President made his famous quote, “I am prepared to put my presidency on the line on this matter.”

    Despite the massive public support, the impact of the operation was minuscule.

    Thus, speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, Mr Antwi- Boasiako observed that despite President Akufo-Addo’s zealousness to halt the canker, galamsey has rather blossomed under his governance.

    “We have a government that cannot provide governance as we understand it. The President said he was putting his presidency on the line to fight galamsey.

    “How many years has it been since 2017? What is the situation on the ground? From what we’ve heard, the situation is worse. Our water bodies have become as you described, dead,” he said.

    He, therefore, suggested that a more radical measure must be implemented to eradicate the menace.

    On the same show, a fellow at CDD-Ghana, Kwame Sarpong noted that government could exploit other constitutional methods to clamp down the canker.

    He questioned the government’s commitment to eradicate the menace.

    “How can I sit here in the UK [United Kingdom] and use google maps to accurately pinpoint the contamination of our water bodies but hear a minister say that he is not aware that mining is going on in a forest reserve because a Commission under his Ministry says they haven’t issued a license.

    “Last I checked, most of our ministers use smartphones. Couldn’t he have done what we all do to pinpoint what is going on and check what we all saw? This doesn’t require National Security. This requires the persons personal will to act,” he stated.

    Source: Myjoyonline

  • 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.”

  • Lands Minister’s surprise at galamsey activity laughable – Minority

    The Minority in Parliament has described as laughable the Lands and Natural Resources Minister’s surprise at the scale of illegal mining activity in Ghana.

    “Why will anyone be surprised when it is clear that there were no practical actions to save our lands after the several expensive conferences the government organised,” the Minority said in a statement.

    It noted that it had previously raised concern about illegal mining before it gained renewed national attention.

    “Twice this year, the minority through the Mines and Energy Committee drew the attention of Government about the relapse in their fight against galamsey.”

    “We called on the Ministers responsible to wake up from their long-drawn sleep and save our lands from selfish galamsay operators.”

    The Minority maintains that the passivity of the government has allowed illegal mining to continue |with known government party supporters busily sinking machines into lands all over, including state reserved areas, polluting our fresh waters and destroying farm lands.”

    “The ease at which private citizens, many of foreign background, plunge into our lands and ravage it under this Regime is very worrying. It justifies why many citizens and civil society groups express worry about the future of our country.”

    Find below the full statement

    Stop the deception on the fight against illegal mining and be serious about saving our lands and waters: A statement by the Minority Side of Parliament, 1st OCTOBER, 2022

    Daily Graphic 30th September 2022, reported a visit of the Minister of Lands on some galamsey sites in the Eastern Region. To our ultimate surprise the Minister appeared surprised at the unmeasurable destruction of the land and the environment by the Galamsey operators. We recall how the President, Nana Ado Danquah Akufo Ado boasted about getting the right Minister to do a job which we are completely sure he did not intend to do. Before his announcement of the new Minister whose competence we do not doubt, Ghanaians had been overwhelmed and had been critical about the collaborative destruction of our wet and dry lands throughout the country in the 4 years of the Nana Addo NPP first term. As usual of this regime’s deceptive promises and sweet words were used to calm down the unsuspecting Ghanaian pointing at a new policy on galamsey. Two years into that ‘new policy” direction on Galamsey, the Minister will fly to the same galamsey sites he promised to salvage to see a more devastating, more painfully destroyed landscape and appeared surprised seeking the Ghanaian populace to bear with this lackluster policy approach.

    Twice this year the minority through the Mines and Energy Committee drew the attention of Government about the relapse in their fight against galamsey. We called on the Ministers responsible to wake up from their long drawn sleep and save our lands from selfish galamsay operators. They kept their sleepy mood and allowed the destruction to continue with known government party supporters busily sinking machines into lands all over, including state reserved areas, polluting our fresh waters and destroying farm lands. Even as we worry about the present circumstance and the laughable surprise by the Minister, much more galamsey operations are going on, known to the government and intentionally ignored by its agents! What fight did the President refer to when he announced to the people about his determination to eliminate galamsey from our lands? Why will anyone be surprised when it is clear  that there were no practical actions to save our lands after the several expensive conferences the government organised targeted at addressing the challenges posed by illegal mining?

    The ease at which private citizens, many of foreign background, plunge into our lands and ravage it under this Regime is very worrying. It justifies why many citizens and civil society groups express worry about the future of our country. The free destruction of the land by miners of all class of description has a damning effect on our cocoa production and on our drinking water. While at one point oil companies had to import fresh water from neighboring La Cote d’voire our long trading partners, the European Union, are also contemplating to ban the purchase of Ghana cocoa because of high contamination of mercury from irresponsible mining.  It therefore did not sound as surprising when a government friendly civil society group, Occupy Ghana, issued a threat to take the Government to Court over his poor over what it calls government “absolute incompetence, in the face of the  brazen destruction of our lands and wanton poisoning of our water bodies”. All this defines the poor handling of the unprecedented destruction of our lands. The situation as we have it now should obviously send signals to the government that not all is right about it’s pretense to be fighting to save our lands for a future generation.

    While we observe what next the Minister and his government will do after his visit and his surprise of seeing the vast destruction of our environment, which we see as only a tip of the iceberg, we urge the minister to wear sharper glasses and open his mind wider to take needed actions. His actions thereafter will help him absolve himself from any blame on him as either a collaborator or an incompetent urgent of the President in a fight for our lands being destroyed with impunity and annoying gusto. We will like to see the government demonstrate responsibility by stopping this lawless conduct and prosecute the defaulters and ensure that companies which are found to engaged in any illegal mining process to reclaim all lands they have destroyed.

    Source: Citinews

  • 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.

     

                                                                                      

  • Chiefs, DCEs, others to be blamed for worsening galamsey in Ghana – Lands Minister

    The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abdulai Jinapor is blaming Chiefs, District Security Councils, Mineral Commission officials, and regional authorities for the worsening state of illegal mining in the country.

    According to him, irrespective of enforcement efforts by the government, the galamsey situation will not improve if people in mining communities do not help authorities in addressing the menace.

    Government appears to be struggling to address the issue of illegal mining in Ghana, as many people continue to get involved in it. Vast lands have been destroyed, and water bodies have not been spared.

    The activities of these illegal miners are very visible in various mining communities, as the level of devastation speaks volumes.

    In an area such as Manso Datano in the Amansie South District of the Ashanti region, hectares of land have been destroyed. This is common in many mining communities in the Ashanti Region and other mining areas.

    Citing the Manso Datano case as an example, Samuel Abdulai Jinapor said it is curiously obvious that various stakeholders such as chiefs, and district and regional authorities among others have been aiding the activities.

    “I come from a palace and I can say without a shred of equivocation that in most cases, no one, and I repeat, no one can bring a chain saw to harvest in the forest or an excavator to mine in the bush or chanfang to work on a river body in a community without the knowledge, acquiescence or passive approval somehow of the Chief, Elders, the assemblymen, opinion leaders and or local authorities in the community. We have to begin to be blunt about this situation on our hands. It is the honest truth and, sadly for me, I am having to say it and do so publicly. Ladies and gentlemen, you may have heard that on Thursday 29th September 2022 on behalf of the president of the republic, I paid a working visit to our men and women in uniform–the operation halt two team in Manso Datano in the Amansie South District.”

    ”I was shocked by what I saw. Almost a whole community has been created in the heart of the forest with poultry and goat rearing, beds, a kitchen, and bathrooms among others. The devastation must have been occasioned by years, if not decades of destruction. The question I ask is, how could this have happened on the blind side of the Chief, elders, assemblymen, unit committee members, district police commander, district chief executive, district officers of the minerals commission, forestry commission, environmental protection agency and the members of the community? I do not seem to tarnish the reputation of any person or institution, but I dare say that even regional authorities may not be able to escape from this particular situation and feign ignorance of it”.

    The minister is thus calling for all to be involved in addressing the matter, devoid of partisanship.

    The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources made these statements at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) at its faculty of renewable natural resources 40th Anniversary celebration.

    The Asantehene’s representative at the event, Asakyirihene, Nana Mensah Bonsu used the occasion to urge students and faculty members at the faculty of renewable natural resources to research into finding the best ways of addressing the illegal mining issue.

    Source: Citinews

  • Government reviews security strategy to fight galamsey

    The continuous spate of illegal mining in Ghana has necessitated a review of the government’s security strategies in combating the menace.

    Minister of National Security, Albert Kan-Dapaah who disclosed this stated that the revision, when implemented, will help the government institute strict and robust anti-galamsey policies to weed out illegal mining.

    Speaking at the West Africa Mining Security (WAMS) Conference in

    Accra on Wednesday, Mr Kan-Dapaah intimated that foreign nationals involved in the ongoing canker could truncate the current state of the country’s security system and forest reserves.

    “The strategy is under review because we need to find a more effective way of stopping the degradation.”

    Government in its quest to eradicate illegal mining, set up a military task force in 2017 and ordered a 20-month ban on all small mining.

    The taskforce was given the authority to confiscate equipment belonging to illegal mining operators and shut down mines without official paperwork.

    Recently, the taskforce arrested 164 suspected illegal miners, impounded 300 Changfans and 12 excavators used in illegal mining at Ayinam and Mampong, in the Eastern Region.

    In spite of the various measures instituted to curtail the canker, little progress has been made so far as the activities are still in full force.

    This led to a series of calls from various environmental bodies asking the government to go back to its drawing board and revise its anti-galamsey strategy.

    An environmentalist, Nana Dwomoh Sarpong, said the government’s top-bottom operations were not yielding any results.

    He argued that “we have had Operation Vanguard, Operation Akufo-Addo involved in another video theft after Kirani Ayat’s episode 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.”

    “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.

    The National Security Minister, however, assured the public that the revision of the security strategy to fight illegal mining will incorporate all suggestions made by both private and governmental institutions.

    He, thus, called for collaboration between stakeholders to ensure a safe mining industry.

    Source: The Independent Ghana

  • Asamang Tamfoe shooting: 16 suspects in custody, Eastern Regional Command takes over investigations

    The Eastern Regional Police Command has taken over the investigations into the shooting incident at Asamang Tamfoe in the Atewa East District on Thursday.

    The incident is in relation to illegal mining activities in the area.

    Meanwhile, 16 of the total of 24 suspects arrested are in police custody in Koforidua. The eight were released after a screening exercise by the police when it was detected that they were farmers who were arrested as part of the swoop.

    They were taken to the Koforidua High Court Friday morning but the court was not in session.

    Efforts are underway to grant them police enquiry bail.

    A team from the Eastern Regional Police Command, led by the Regional Commander, DCOP Anderson Fosu Ackaah Friday morning visited the Asamang Tamfoe community to engage the people.

    What happened?

    There was some disagreement with community members of Asamang Tamfoe when an anti illegal mining taskforce and the police from Kyebi went to the area to arrest suspects and seize illegal mining equipment.

    The police and the task force had gone into a bush in the area to stop a suspected illegal mining activity.

    However, the community members insisted, their operations were approved as it was part of an approved community mining activity.

    The police and task force seized some mining equipment including excavators.

    On their way out in a convoy transporting the arrested suspects and the equipment to Kyebi where the District Police Command headquarters is located, the community members blocked the road.

    This led to the firing of shots.

  • Galamsey: 12 excavators seized; one arrested in Ashanti region

    More arrests in relation to illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, have recently been carried out across the country, in efforts to clamp down on the canker.

    About two weeks ago, 164 arrests were made in Anyinam and Mampong in a three-day operation by the Operation Halt task force.

    In a related development, one more person has been arrested, and 12 excavators have been seized by the soldiers under the second phase of Operation Halt.

    The latest arrest was carried out after members of the task force stormed mining sites within the Atwima Mponua and Amansie South districts of the Ashanti region.

    One car and a motorbike were also impounded at some mining sites during the operation. The activities of illegal miners have become rife in the country despite laws and measures instituted to clamp down on their activities.

    The activities of these illegal miners have immensely destroyed water bodies such as the River Pra, Offin, and Birim; land resources have also been spared.

    According to recent statistics from the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), over 19,000 hectares of cocoa farmland have been destroyed as a result of the activities of illegal miners. With the current happenings, a section of the public has come to the conclusion that the galamsey fight is a lost cause.

    Meanwhile, the government has vehemently contested this claim, insisting that it will not relent on clamping down on illegal miners and their activities.
    Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has, on many occasions, re-echoed the government’s commitment to
    battling malaria in the country.

    In addition to the Operation Halt task force introduced to check the canker, the government also launched a small-scale mining awards programme, which seeks to promote and encourage responsible small-scale mining last year.

    Speaking at the launch of this year’s award programme, Mr. HIV: Don’t be scared, get checked – GHANET assures Jinapor noted that the government remains unwavering in its efforts to sanitise and regulate the small-scale mining sector, which provides an estimated 40 percent of Ghana’s total gold output.

    “The government is very mindful of the consequential and important nature of the small-scale mining sector of our country,” he noted, although he acknowledged that there are pertinent challenges that need to be addressed.

    He further mentioned that the government has introduced several reformative measures, including the start of the community mining scheme, the introduction of mercury-free mining equipment, and the alternative livelihoods
    programme.

  • 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.

     

  • KTU Council Chair urges government to continue burning excavators in galamsey fight

    The Council Chairman of Koforidua Technical University, Professor Samuel Apori, has urged the government not to backtrack on their earlier operational strategies of burning excavators and other mining equipment used by illegal miners in their illegal activities.

    According to the academician and environmentalist, this operational strategy was sending a strong signal and deterring other recalcitrant illegal miners from venturing into galamsey.

    Professor Samuel Apori also called for a bipartisan approach to crash out illegal mining and make it unattractive to protect the environment and water bodies.

    “The president and his government should be assisted on a bipartisan basis to be resolute to burn, destroy tools, implements, machinery and prosecute galamseyers and their collaborators irrespective of their political, religious and socioeconomic status.”

    Professor Samuel Apori further called on all public servants and other regulatory bodies whose duty is to police, safe guard and ensure the protection of water, the environment and the mineral resources of the state not to relent on their efforts and deliver their mandates without fear or favor.

    Professor Samuel Apori who doubles as the Chief of Akyem Hemang in the Fanteakwa South District of the Eastern Region has waged a war on illegal mining and lumbering in his community over the years and recently won an environmental court case against the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional State.

    Source:citinewsroom.com

  • 21 foreigners arrested in Ejisu over illegal immigration

    Police in the Ashanti Region have arrested 21 foreign nationals believed to be illegal immigrants at Akokoamong within the Ejisu Municipality.

    The arrest follows a joint action by community members who say they have observed the suspicious activities of the persons for months and thus decided to hand them over to the police for further investigations to be conducted.

    One of the community leaders, Mohammed Ali, said they caused the arrest of the foreigners because they believe they pose a security threat and as such, they want the relevant authorities to probe their operations.

    “In the evenings, you will see them make calls. That is what they have been doing. So as residents, we have to be security conscious. Things go on around here and no one knows what they have been doing.”

    The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has been advocating for stronger collaboration amongst all security agencies to meet the security needs of the country.

    According to the GIS, Ghana’s porous borderlines pose a high-security threat to the country.

    This threat needs a purposeful cross-intelligence and engagement amongst security agencies and community stakeholders to improve security alertness.

  • Gov’t has not lost control of galamsey fight – Seth Acheampong

    The Eastern Regional Minister, Seth Acheampong, has stated that government is still committed to the fight against illegal mining in spite of the many failures experienced so far.

    In an interview with Citi TV he said claims that the government has never been devoted to the struggle against the threat is untrue.

    The Minister mentioned that government losing out in the last election is somehow proof that state actions are yielding results.

    “The president, in putting his office on the line, the party suffered heavily in the 2020 election in areas that had illegal mining. They voted against us. That is the risk we took,” he added.

    Mr. Acheampong emphasized that, “as we face this issue humanly and squarely, unfortunately, it is being made a matter of politics and it’s so depressing when you try to put your life on the line. This administration is poised to be responsible”.

    In 2017, President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo declared that he was prepared to put his presidency on the line in the fight against galamsey.

    His declaration was amidst new measures such as the deployment of police and military personnel to arrest illegal miners across the country and the introduction of a community mining programme aimed at regulating small-scale mining in communities in an environmentally sustainable manner.

    There have been complaints that the water bodies that were regaining their natural state at the height of the fight against galamsey are becoming polluted again due to the increasing activities of illegal miners in various parts of the country.

    President Akufo-Addo again made public statements on the development, saying that there is a need for an open discussion on the subject.

    The government, through the Ministry for Lands and Natural Resources, subsequently held a two-day National Consultative Dialogue on Small-Scale Mining that, among other things, urged the government to firmly enforce the country’s laws on mining.

    Recently, the debate on whether the government is in control of the fight has been renewed following controversies surrounding the re-arrest of galamsey kingpin, Aisha Huang.

  • We’ll soon cease production over galamsey activities – GWCL

    Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) says the illegal mining (galamsey) activities in the Western Region make the production of water tough each day.

    According to GWCL, the region was using 20 gallons of alums to treat water in the region but it has now shot up to 60 gallons of alums each day because of the bad nature of water bodies due to galamsey activities.

    Speaking on the Morning Starr with Francis Abban Monday, the Central and Western Regional Communications Manager for GWCL, Nana Yaw Baanie said “the situation is really getting worse”  adding that, the government is losing the fight against galamsey in the region and urgent steps must be taken to salvage the situation.

    According to him, if the operation of illegal mining had really stopped the water bodies should be clear by now but that is not the case in the region.

    “The color is over 9,000NTU and then the turbidity is 3,000 so this is what Ghana Water will have to deal with. We are supposed to reduce these figures to five (5) in order to make the water potable. That is the guideline we have been given. So this is our story in Takoradi Daboase to be specific where we get water from the Pra.

    “If there should be anything that can be done it must be done now and it must be drastic. Recently, my boss Stanley Mantey said a time will come when Ghana Water Company will cease operation, yes. It may be coming very soon but we don’t know when,” Mr. Baanie stated.

    He continued: “Because if it comes to a point that the water is untreatable what do we do? When we stop operation for even one day in Sekondi Takoradi can you imagine what will happen? We have a big hospital at Effia Nkwantan and when we should stop operations where will they get water? The Universities and the second cycle schools what will happen if we stop operation?”

    He said the galamseyers were operating close to GWCL operation point at Daboase but when the ban of galamsey was announced they moved.

    However, he claimed their analysis shows that the galamsey activities are still ongoing despite a national crusade to fight the menace.

  • Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources staff jailed 15 months for fraud in illegal mining

    An Accra Circuit Court has sentenced Gabriel Gyamerah Sarpong, a staff of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, to 15 months imprisonment over fraud.

    Sarpong had collected over GH¢200,000 from illegal miners to be given to Mr George Mireku Duker, deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources.

    Appearing in court last Friday, Sarpong pleaded guilty to defrauding by false pretences.

    The court presided over by Mrs Evelyn Asamoah convicted Sarpong on his own plea.

    Sarpong however denied the charge of falsely pretending to be a public officer.

    The court therefore adjourned the matter to October 12 and ordered the prosecution to file its disclosures in respect of the charge of falsely pretending to be a public officer.

    Mr Muda Ade Lawal, defence counsel in praying for a non-custodial sentence, said Sarpong was a good citizen and IT specialist until the devil pushed him to the vice.

    “If given custodial sentence he will be mixed with hardened criminals and will come out worse,” counsel submitted.

     

    According to counsel, the convict was sober and he has regretted his actions hence his admission of guilt.

    “Tamper justice with mercy to hand him non-custodial sentence,” he prayed the court.

    Defence counsel opined that the convict had a wife and two children and if given custodial sentence, his wife and children would suffer.

    Assistance Superintendent of Police (ASP) Evans Kesse told the court that the complainant was George Mireku-Duker, a Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources.

    He said sometime in December 2021, the convict contacted a witness in the case to meet so they could talk about a business deal.

    The prosecution said the following week, the witness met the convict and told him that the business was about mining and since the witness had been to various mining sites in the country, he could best execute the task.

    He said same month, the convict called the witness on phone and told him that the Deputy Minister had authorized that the witness could mobilise his men to operate as such.

    The prosecution said the convict then gave a fake MTN number as the Deputy Minister’s contact number, through which he could call when he needed him.

    The witness then mobilised his men and went to Obuasi, met the police and called the MTN number accused gave to him as the Deputy Minister’s number.

    Prosecution said the convict, who responded as the said Deputy Minister, told the Obuasi Divisional Commander to offer the team any assistance it needed.

    The prosecutor said the witness after their operations realised over GH¢200,000 and sent same to the convict who had impersonated the Deputy Minister.

    ASP Kesse said the witness after operating at Obuasi decided to proceed to Manso Nkwanta for another operation and met the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), where the witness told the MCE about his mission there and tried reaching out to the Deputy Minister on the MTN number given to him by the convict but there was no response.

    The Manso Nkwanta MCE then alerted the witness that it would be in his own interest to come down to Accra to meet with the Deputy Minister and verify if the Deputy Minister had really sanctioned their task.

    On September 13,2022, the witness met with the Deputy Minister and disclosed that he had been working at the mining sites on his authorization.

    The prosecution said the Deputy Minister denied knowledge of it and sent for the convict whom after questioning was handed over to the police.

    The convict in his investigation caution statement admitted to the offence and indicated that he used part of the money he received from the witness to purchase a black Elantra saloon vehicle and invested part of it into his building located at Amasaman.

    Source: GNA

  • Key stakeholders review fight against illegal mining

    Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Samuel Abu Jinapor, on Friday, September 16, 2022, presided over a meeting of the Ministerial Coordinating Committee on Illegal Mining, to review various strategies and measures to combat illegal small-scale mining.

    At the meeting, it became clear that much progress had been made in the fight against the illegal mining operation, despite the stubbornness of some of the individuals involved.

    The Committee praised those who came forward with information on illegal mining to help combat the threat, but claimed that the same people later posted old videos of the activities online to stoke public discontent.

    According to a statement issued by the Public Relations Unit of the Lands Ministry, after an extensive review of the operations, the stakeholders agreed that the river bodies and forest reserves should continue to be red zones.

    It was stated that no mining operations should be allowed near or within any river body in the nation and that exploration, prospecting, and/or reconnaissance should still be prohibited within forest reserves, save in exceptional cases.

    Operation Halt II would ramp up its support for the various measures being implemented to clamp down on illegal mining.

    The statement also said enforcement efforts would be pursued relentlessly without regard to any political, social, or economic standing of the people involved.

    “This will be done transparently and with the highest standards of integrity, candour, and utmost good faith.”

    It also said any equipment used in connection with illegal mining, otherwise known as ‘galamsey,’ or any product derived from illegal mining operations, would be seized and handed over to the police, in accordance with section 99 (8) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended.

    The statement said, that for any reason that particular equipment could not be moved from its location, it would be demobilized and/or decommissioned to prevent it from being used for illegal operations.

    “The Ghana Police Service will work closely with Operation Halt II to gather relevant information to aid in the prosecution of people involved in illegal mining.”

    It said the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Minerals Commission would intensify education on the dire consequences of illegal mining on the lives and livelihoods of current and future generations, as well as the environment.

    It noted that the Committee would meet regularly to review the measures being implemented

    and adopt additional ones where necessary.

    Therefore, the Ministry appealed to the public, in particular the media, chiefs, and residents of the host villages, to support the government and security forces in their efforts to combat the threat and preserve the environment for future generations.

    Meanwhile, on Thursday, September 15, 2022 a total of 164 suspected illegal foreign miners were arrested by a military anti- galamsey task force, Operation Halt II, at Anyinam and Mampong in the Eastern Region.

    Source:The Independent Ghana

  • Police arrest chief of Sefwi Elubo and brother over ‘galamsey’ activities

    The Ghana Police Service says it has arrested the chief of Sefwi Elubo and his brother “in connection with illegal mining”.

    In a statement dated September 17, the Police said, the arrest was made on Friday, September 16, in the Sefwi Elubo township in the Western Region.

    According to the Police, it is also pursuing six other people in connection with illegal mining activities in the area.

    “The suspects, Nana Anini Baffour and his brother Kwadwo Affi were arrested following Police investigation of a video circulating on social media showing illegal mining activities in some compound houses of the town.

    Investigation has so far discovered dug-out pits from the compound leading to the bedroom of the chief’s brother”, the statement added.

    Police arrest chief of Sefwi Elubo and brother over 'galamsey' activities
    The statement from the Ghana Police Service on the arrest of the chief of Sefwi Elubo and his brother

    In the release, which was signed by Director of Public Affairs, Grace Ansah-Akrofi, the Police further indicated that, “Four other deep dug-out pits have also been uncovered by the Police in other houses in the same vicinity”.

    The arrest of the traditional leader comes at a time when there are widespread concerns about the involvement of chiefs in the illicit act.

    Following the re-emergence of galamsey kingpin, Aisha Huang, some citizens have accused traditional leaders of being complicit in the act.

    According to them, some traditional leaders conspire with illegal miners and give them lands to facilitate their mining activities.

    In the wake of these developments, government has reaffirmed its commitment to dealing with the menace,and bringing all perpetrators to book.

    Meanwhile, regarding the arrest of the chief of Sefwi Elubo, the Police said, “Investigation has further revealed that the chief, his brother and six other suspects who are on the run are the main people behind the illegal mining activities”

    “As investigation continues, we would like to assure the public that all those involved will be brought to face justice”, the statement concluded.

    Source:myjoyonline

     

  • Using military to fight galamsey will not solve the problem – US-based mining consultant

    A Ghanaian mining consultant residing in the US, Dr. Solomon Owusu has criticized the use of the military to stop illegal mining in Ghana.

    He claims that the strategy is rudimentary and fails to address the core issue of “galamsey.”

    Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, he told host, Samson Lardy Anyenini that the menace of ‘galamsey’ has become a challenge because of the absence of strict standard operating procedures to regulate the activities of miners.

    Dr. Owusu noted the lack of these procedures compel miners to use arbitrary means of mineral extraction, leading to to the associated damage to the environment.

    He therefore called on stakeholders within the industry to tighten the laws on illegal mining, instead of resorting to the use of the military to address the challenge.

    “Using the military approach will not solve the problem. They need technical inputs and after getting the technical inputs to ensure that right standard operating procedures have been developed for them to follow, then monitoring and law enforcement follows.

    But using the military to get rid of the illegal miners, what about the licensed small scale miners who are also polluting [the water bodies] and degrading it?”, he stressed.

    He nonetheless praised the Akufo-Addo regime for the enhanced efforts in eradicating ‘galamsey’ in Ghana.

    The comments by the mining consultant adds to the various recommendations from stakeholders on how to deal decisively with the menace.

    In a related development, the Managing Director of the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL), Dr. Clifford Braimah, has also advocated the involvement of the Water Resources Commission in the fight against illegal mining in Ghana.

    According to him, this will strengthen the inter-agency efforts being employed to deal with the menace.

    Adding his voice on NewsFileon Saturday, he explained that, the Water Resources Commission is a critical agency, whose mandate cannot be ignored if the fight against ‘galamsey’ will succeed.

    He however noted that the Commission is currently under-resourced, hence the need for it to be retooled.

    Over the last couple of weeks, the menace of ‘galamsey’ has been on the front burner, following the re-arrest of galamsey kingpin, Aisha Huang.

    The Chinese lady, who was reportedly deported from Ghana in 2018, was rearrested in Kumasi on September 5.

    Subsequently, her latest arrest rekindled the conversation about illegal mining and the complicity of government officials in the act.

    But reacting to these rife allegations, government has consistently debunked them, insisting that it is committed to dealing with the menace.

    Meanwhile, the ‘galamsey’ queen, Aisha Huang, is currently in prison custody, after she and her accomplices were denied bail on Thursday, September 15.

    They will however appear again in court on September 27.

    Source: myjoyonline

     

  • Releasing Aisha Huang’s alleged sex tapes will be a crime – Charles Bissue

    It will be a crime for Aisha Huang to release video footages of her sexual encounters with Ghanaian officials.

    That’s the reaction of former Secretary to the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining, Charles Bissue on the return of the Chinese businesswoman who is currently facing criminal charges of mining in Ghana without a license.

    There are doubts that government would proceed with the prosecution of the case due to reports that the Chinese woman controls a powerful cartel that is blackmailing Ghanaian ministers of state and high ranking state officials.

    Meanwhile, Editor of the New Crusading Guide, Abdul Malik Kweku Baako has disclosed that Aisha Huang, nicknamed ‘galamsey queen’ has a series of recorded sex videos involving persons serving in the incumbent and previous administrations.

    Reacting to fears that Aisha Huang may resort to releasing the videos as a trump card to evade prosecution, Charles Bissue argued that it will go against her if she does that.

    “Whatever sex video she has with people, were they with underage children? No, he answered while adding that it might be “consensual” and that “she in the first place videoing that is a crime… whatever sex that happened the person was not raped,” he explained.

    Mr. Charles Bissue further recounted how there were attempts to blackmail him during his tenure as Secretary to the Inter-Ministerial Committee to shelve some investigative reports at his outfit, a proposal he declined.

  • Amenfi West MP calls for investigations into the issuance of mining licence to Akonto Mines

    The Member of Parliament (MP) for Amenfi West, Eric Afful, suspects the mining license issued to Akonto mines to undertake small-scale mining in the Tano Nimiri Forest is not valid. He, thus, wants a full-blown investigation to be launched into the issuance of a mining license to the mines.

    The National Democratic Congress (NDC)

    Such investigation, he said, could stop the wanton destruction of the forest and its natural cover, river bodies, farmlands and plantations.

    The Tano Nimiri Forest lies between Amenfi West and Aowin municipalities in the Western and the Western North regions, respectively.

    In a statement issued last Friday, Mr Afful said, “I have been informed about these vicious characters purporting to have acquired legal documents from the Minerals Commission to engage in small-scale mining in the forest.

    “I vehemently reject the claim that the Minerals Commission granted the purported license to such an exploitative company to destroy the forest reserve,” he said.

    Improper act

    The MP said to the best of his knowledge, Tano Nimiri Forest was a concession granted to Samartex Timber and Plywood Company Limited by the Forestry Commission.

    He, therefore, considered it improper for the Minerals Commission to authorise a small-scale mining company to destroy the same forest and its natural cover, river bodies, farmlands and plantations managed by Samartex Timber and Plywood Company Limited.

    “My concern has been amplified owing to the fact that Samartex is likely to lay off more than half of its employees, if such activities are not curtailed,” Mr Afful said.

    “Moreover, there is the real likelihood that conflict may ensue between the security guards of Akonta Mines, forest guards of the Forestry Commission, security guards and employees of Samartex which may subsequently destabilise the peace we enjoy in the municipalities involved,” he said.

    He, therefore, requested a full-scale investigation into the matter by all stakeholders including the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, the National Security Minister, the chief executive of the Forestry Commission and the Minerals Commission.

    He also mentioned the regional ministers of Western and Western North regions, municipal chief executives of Amenfi West and Aowin municipalities, Wassa Amenfi and Aowin paramount chiefs, management of Samartex Timber and Plywood Company Limited and Akonto Mines as those who should take part in the investigation.

  • Effect of illegal mining on your residence minimal Minerals Commission tells Magistrate forced out by galamsey activities

    The Minerals Commission has, in an investigative report, concluded that alleged illegal mining activities could have had only a minimal impact on the official residence of a Magistrate at the Nkroful District Court.

    “Additionally, the official residence is on a higher altitude than the illegal mining sites. Effect of illegal mining, if any at all, on the residence would be minimal”, the report stated.

    On July 14, 2022, the Western Regional Judicial Service wrote to the Ellembelle District Chief Executive informing him of the decision of the Magistrate to relocate from her bungalow due to illegal mining activities said to constitute a threat to her safety, security and health.”

    The letter stressed that the noise emanating from the Galamsey activities at night deprived the Magistrate of the “needed sleep” which is having an impact on her health.

    The Western Region office of the Minerals Commission took up the matter and commenced investigations. It interviewed Kwasi Bonzoh, DCE for Ellembelle, Emil Tawiah Atsu, District Coordinating Director, ACP Hlordzi Godact Dodzi Divisional Police Commander and Assemblyman for the area Hemans Blay.

    The Commission found that illegal mining activities occurred in a nearby river, Broma River and its embankments from late 2020 to early 2021 and recently to early June 2022.

    This river, the commission notes flows behind the building serving as the official residence of the Divisional Commander and District Magistrate. It noted that several arrests were made by the DCE in an effort to deal with the matter.

    The mining activities halted but resumed in April 2022. The Assembly is said to have once again taken steps to halt the mining once again. The Commission says it found no mining equipment within the enclave when it visited.

    “From GPS readings taken, it was observed that both the 2021 and 2022 operations were more than 130m away from the official residence of the District Magistrate and the Divisional Commander. The official residence is located at a higher altitude (28m) than the illegal mining sites (10m).

    It is recommending that the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources includes the area in the Ghana Landscape Restoration and Small Scale Mining Project to help reclaim the area and desilt the Broma River.

    The Assembly is to collaborate with the Judiciary and the Ghana Police to clamp down on illegal mining activities.

    Source: Myjoyonlin.com

  • Galamsey: 401 military men commence the fourth phase of Operation Halt II

    Over four hundred officers of the Ghana Armed Forces have been deployed for the fourth phase of the fight against illegal mining dubbed Operation Halt II.

    In a press release announcing the commencement of the operation, the Ministry of Information said the operation is aimed at removing all persons and logistics involved in mining from water bodies.

    According to the release signed by the Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah, the new phase of Operation Halt II focuses on the Ankobra River and its tributaries.

    The Ministry thus cautioned the public to stay away from mining in water bodies to avoid any action by the military.

    Read full statement below:

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Illegal miners could retaliate, weve to be careful – Analyst

    A security analyst, Adib Sani, has advised the government to reconsider the approach it is currently using in dealing with illegal mining (galamsey).

    He warned the illegal miners could retaliate because a lot of them are armed.

    Adib Sani said he saw several videos where some of these miners are warning the soldiers that they would defend themselves.

    He opined that if things get out of hand, the illegal miners will either through diplomatic or violent means are very high because almost all of them are armed.

    According to him, he thinks that we have to be careful although we are in desperate times.

    He said we have to check the documentation to see which ones are legitimate mining concessions and which ones are not before we take action.

    He wants the community to be involved in the fight against illegal mining.

    He said if we do that fighting the galamsey would be successful.

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • Zambian miners ‘quarantined by Chinese employer freed’

    A group of Zambian miners held by their Chinese employer for five months as a safety measure against coronavirus have been released, the Lusaka Times website reports.

    Their release on Sunday followed the intervention of a local MP.

    They had been held within the mine complex to prevent them from contracting the virus and infecting their Chinese supervisors.

    Vice-President Saulos Chilima told parliament two weeks ago that the government was not aware of the workers’ detention, the website reports.

    The Chinese managers are reported to have left the mine when a delegation of government officials arrived to release the miners.

    Zambia has to date confirmed more than 15,000 coronavirus cases and 333 deaths.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Court jails three illegal miners

    The Enchi District Magistrate court presided over by Mr Eric Baah Boateng has convicted a Ghanaian and two Guineans to a total of 54 months imprisonment in hard labour for illegally prospecting for gold in the Tano-Anwia Forest Reserve.

    Kwame Banyanta, Mohammed Kabal and Mohammed Kamara would serve 18 months each.

    The three who were charged with conspiracy to commit crime, mining gold without license and in breach of forest protection act pleaded not guilty but were convicted after trial.

    Prosecuting, Detective Inspector Joseph Kwadwo Agyare, told the court that the complainant, Emmanuel Nkansah is a Range Supervisor of the Ghana Forestry Commission in Enchi, while the accused are residents of Wassa Agona in the Wassa Amenfi West Municipality.

    He said for some time now, activities of illegal miners have increased in the Tano-Anwia Forest Reserve.

    Mr Agyuare said despite tireless efforts made by the Commission to stop unauthorized persons from entering the forest reserve, these perpetrators continued to mine there.

    He said at about 1800 hours on December 25, last year, the complainant got a tip-off that some illegal miners were in the forest reserve prospecting for gold.

    The prosecution said based on that information, the complainant mobilized his guards and proceeded to the scene and met the accused busily working in the reserve with others now at large.

    Detective Agyare said the complainant noticed that about a quarter of an acre within the vegetation had been devastated by the activities of the miners who were using pickaxes, shovels and metal detectors in their operations.

    He said when the miners saw the complainant and his team, they took to their heels but the team pursued them and managed to apprehend the three accused while the others absconded.

    Source: GNA

  • Court jails 3 illegal miners

    The Enchi District Magistrate court presided over by Mr Eric Baah Boateng has convicted a Ghanaian and two Guineans to a total of 54 months imprisonment in hard labour for illegally prospecting for gold in the Tano-Anwia Forest Reserve.

    Kwame Banyanta, Mohammed Kabal, and Mohammed Kamara would serve 18 months each.

    The three who were charged with conspiracy to commit crime, mining gold without license, and in breach of forest protection act pleaded not guilty but were convicted after trial.

    Prosecuting, Detective Inspector Joseph Kwadwo Agyare, told the court that the complainant, Emmanuel Nkansah is a Range Supervisor of the Ghana Forestry Commission in Enchi, while the accused are residents of Wassa Agona in the Wassa Amenfi West Municipality.

    He said for some time now, activities of illegal miners have increased in the Tano-Anwia Forest Reserve.

    Mr. Agyuare said despite tireless efforts made by the Commission to stop unauthorized persons from entering the forest reserve, these perpetrators continued to mine there.

    He said at about 1800 hours on December 25, last year, the complainant got a tip-off that some illegal miners were in the forest reserve prospecting for gold.

    The prosecution said based on that information, the complainant mobilized his guards and proceeded to the scene and met the accused busily working in the reserve with others now at large.

    Detective Agyare said the complainant noticed that about a quarter of an acre within the vegetation had been devastated by the activities of the miners who were using pickaxes, shovels and metal detectors in their operations.

    He said when the miners saw the complainant and his team, they took to their heels but the team pursued them and managed to apprehend the three accused while the others absconded.

    The Prosecution said the convicts were later handed over to the police with all the exhibits retrieved from them.

    Source: GNA