The Attorney-General has mounted a strong defence for extreme measures adopted by government in the fight against illegal mining.
Godfred Dame believes the burning of excavators found close to water bodies does not go against the country’s laws adding that courting of sympathy for perpetrators leaves much to be desired.
Many groups including the OccupyGhana have criticized the torching of excavators on site by Operation Halt, after which President Akufo-Addo challenged affected parties to seek legal redress if they deemed fit.
They claim that the fact that ‘galamsey’ is a canker does not warrant government’s use of what they describe as an illegality to fight another illegality without a fair hearing.
But the Minister of Justice is disagrees.
Speaking on PM Express, the explained that the taskforce’s actions are within the remits of the law.
According to him, the seizure of mining equipment prior to a court ruling on Exton Cubic in 2019, a case which he prosecuted on behalf of the state, serves as a clear precedence.
On the back of this, he described as reprehensible the attempts by groups to defend persons who accuse the government of wanton destruction of their equipment.
"I find it - with all due respect - a little bit reprehensible, when people instead of ensuring that government leaves no stone unturned in its efforts to bring to a halt this menace, are rather advocating for the recognition of some non-existent rights of persons engaged in the act," he said on Wednesday.
Mr Dame considers the fresh measures a heavy price that needs to be paid to restore the country’s water bodies.
Latest Stories
-
Minerals Commission, Solidaridad unveils forum to tackle child labour in mining sector
5 mins -
Election 2024: Engagement with security services productive – NDC
6 mins -
‘Let’s work together to improve sanitation, promote health outcome’ – Sector Minister urges
8 mins -
Ellembelle MP cuts sod for six-unit classroom block at Nkroful Agric SHS
11 mins -
‘I’ll beat the hell out of you if you misbehave on December 7’ – Achiase Commanding Officer
13 mins -
AFPNC leads the charge on World Prematurity Day 2024
19 mins -
Court remands unemployed man over theft of ECG property
25 mins -
Election security rests solely with the police – Central Regional Police Command
27 mins -
NCCE engages political youth activists at Kumbungu on tolerance
28 mins -
‘In Mahama’s era students lacked chalk, but are now receiving tablets’ – Bawumia
37 mins -
Project commissioning not a ploy to attract votes – Oppong Nkrumah
39 mins -
CBG records GH¢1bn revenue in Q3
41 mins -
Mahama vows to create an agro-processing zone in Afram Plains
55 mins -
Political parties should plan for losses, not just wins – IGP advises
57 mins -
524 Diasporan Africans granted Ghanaian citizenship in ceremony
59 mins