Government has been urged to bring on board small scale miners as it intensifies the fight against illegal mining otherwise known as galamsey.
According to the President of the Ghana National Association of Small Scale Miners (GNASSM), Mr Michael Peprah, the government must involve small scale miners in tackling the menace which has destroyed hectares of forest reserves and many river bodies.
In his estimation, the miners who have been licensed to mine legally have an idea of how illegal miners operate and can assist the government to clamp down on those mining in forest reserves and rivers.
Repatriation
Mr Peprah’s comment comes after the Minister of Interior, Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, announced the repatriation of some one hundred and seven (107) foreign nationals following their involvement in illegal mining and other fraudulent activities.
Speaking at the Police Regional Commanders’ Conference on Friday, March 21, the Minister indicated that the government is committed to cracking down on illegal mining and other fraudulent activities involving foreigners.
“I have written to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) that from now on, any equipment found at galamsey sites or in forests must have its tax details traced to the owners,” he said.
“If you are renting out your bulldozers or other equipment to galamsey operators while staying at home, we will track the tax records and come for you.”
Touching on the issue of foreigners who engage in illegal activities, the Minister reiterated the government’s strict stance.
“The foreigners we find in our forests what do we do with them? Since I became Interior Minister, we have repatriated well over 107 foreign nationals caught in fraud and galamsey operations,” he stated.
“I want to make it clear to all Regional Police Commanders that any foreigner found in our forests should be immediately reported to immigration authorities for deportation. Our first option is always to send them back to their countries, and we will not compromise on this.”
Suggestions
Speaking to Myxyzonline.com, Mr Peprah who has been in the mining industry for years noted that excavators and other heavy equipment used to plow forest reserves and destroy water bodies are sold to the miners and that, the approach the minister mentioned may not be successful.
“It won’t truly result. Some of these machines are on sale (SIC).So if have sold it, will you arrest me?” He quizzed while urging the government to ensure it involves them in combating the canker.
“Government should start to meet small scale miners in various regions so we dialogue just like what GOLDBOD is doing and lay down the new mining policy” adding that when that happens, “both the government and miners will fight the galamsey together’ and it will be successful.
On the repatriation of illegal miners, Mr Peprah mentioned that since most of the suspects are Chinese, that policy by the Minister of Interior will be successful.
He said, “It is good,” stressing that when foreigners involved in galamsey are repatriated, ‘they can’t come back and do the same thing again. In china when you are repatriated you will be jailed.”
All in all, GNASSM wants partnership in the fight against galamsey.
Source: Myxyzonline.com
