Chinese ambassador meets Okyenhene -Head of the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin believes that not all Chinese miners engage in illegal mining activities. The chief said there are some legal miners who are Chinese doing business in Ghana. However, he still stands with the majority opinion that a large number of Chinese miners violate the laws of the land.
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It is on this note that he urged the Chinese government to advise its nationals in Ghana to abide by the rules and environmental laws in the country. Okyenhene was speaking during a meeting with the Chinese ambassador to Ghana Sun Boahong. The ambassador and her entourage paid a courtesy call on him at his residence in Kyebi.
The Okyene during the visit lauded the Chinese government for their resourcefulness and resilience. He maintained that Ghana has a lot to learn from the Chinese with regards to different aspects of trade and industry.
He, however, stressed that China ought to act significantly against the widespread of illegal mining other wise known as ‘galamsey’ in Ghana, mostly engineered by the Chinese. He said that the Chinese government should join hands with the Ghanaian government to put an end to galamsey. The act which has led to massive environmental degradation he said, should not be encouraged.
He also said that while there are Chinese miners who operate legally, there are those on the government’s blacklist, who operate illegally with their Ghanaian counterparts.
The Chinese ambassador, Sun Boahong, assured the government of the country’s support in the fight. SHe said that the Chinese government will always encourage its residents abroad to be law abiding. SOu Boahong also promised to tackle the issue of Chinese nationals involved in illegal mining in Ghana.
Adding that the issue is a very complicated one, the Chinese ambassador said that combating against illegal mining will require determination from both sides.
Sou Baohong also presented him with some gift items. Some of them included Wellington boots, spraying machines, cargoes of rice and spaghetti, cutlasses, and many other things.
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