A member of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Henry Nana Boakye, has revealed that the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has retrieved over 1,000 excavators from various mining sites in the country.
He adds that the owners of those illegal mining sites in some cases voluntarily surrendered the equipment to the ministry that issued an ultimatum to the illegal miners to vacate the sites as a result of extensive destruction caused to the environment.
While reiterating government’s resolve in dealing with the issue, he called for collaboration from various stakeholders in dealing with the menace which has led to the pollution of water bodies and the destruction of forest reserves.
“Several water bodies have been destroyed and I think that we must all act because if care is not taken, it would greatly affect cocoa production which is one of the country’s major income earner. We have retrieved over 1,000 excavators and I think it is commendable. This is a national fight and I would expect that we see it as such rather than try to politicize it”, he advised.
The Deputy Director of the National Service Scheme (NSS), believes concerted efforts are required in dealing with the situation to preserve the natural resources of the country for the growing generation.
The Lands and Natural Resources Minister John Peter Amewu in March this year has issued to illegal miners to halt their activities as government steps up the fight against illegal mining popularly called ‘galamsey’.
He warned that all illegal miners who fail to stop their activities should be prepared to face the full rigours of the law.
The discussion on clamping down on the activities of illegal miners has been taken up a notch higher as the dire consequences of their acts stare the country in the face.
Experts at the Ghana Water Company have warned that the country risks importing water for consumption unless illegal mining activities stop. They say the spate of water pollution in Ghana is approaching alarming levels.
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