The Lands and Natural Resources Minister has said nothing will change about government’s commitment to fight illegal mining popularly known as ‘galamsey’.
Kweku Asumah Kyeremeh said not even the upcoming election will soften the stance in the quest to eliminate illegal miners from the country's forests and water bodies.
Responding to questions in the Fire River Reserve, he said, "People have gone back to the field to do this (illegal mining) all because they have in mind that it is an election year for that matter we'll not rush on them a to pounce on them to ask them to stop".
The Minister told JoyNews he’s not expecting a 'controlled collapse' of the fight against illegal mining.
"It only means that they are telling us to beef up our strength on the ground, our strategy on the ground to fight this menace," he said.
Government, according to the Minister, is working on a strategy that will help bring sanity in the mining sector by eliminating recalcitrant illegal miners who continue to outwit authorities to mine illegaly, endangering the survival of endangered species in the forest and in the water bodies, threatening the country's gains in achieving sustainable development.
Mr Asumah Kyeremeh also called on the civilian population to consider civilian arrest when they see people engaging in galamsey.
“You don't need to call the soldiers or the Forestry Commission to come. When you find them doing this, it is an illegal act, as a citizen you are clothed with capacity at law to effect arrest,” the minister said.
The Minister has promised to conduct massive reclamation exercise in the depleted portion of the forest reserve in the coming days.
Latest Stories
-
Boeing strike ends as workers accept new contract
28 mins -
GAF will not relent in its quest to counter external threats – GOC Southern Command
32 mins -
Election 2024: Bawumia reiterates commitment to promote sustainable mining practices
33 mins -
Ensign Global College promotes health and community well-being at Ngmayem Festival 2024
35 mins -
Bobrisky reveals reason for leaving Nigeria
58 mins -
Tiwa Savage discloses ‘craziest thing I’ve ever done for love’
1 hour -
US states worried about election unrest take security precautions
1 hour -
Modi condemns violence after Canada temple incident
2 hours -
Barcelona hit by new flood as rescuers search Valencia basement car park
2 hours -
Labadi Beach Hotel pays over GH¢16m as dividend to SSNIT
2 hours -
Elon Musk can keep giving $1m to voters, judge rules
2 hours -
Election must not divide us, government will protect each citizen – Akufo Addo
3 hours -
Novel way to beat dengue: Deaf mosquitoes stop having sex
3 hours -
Trial begins over beheading of teacher who showed Prophet Muhammed cartoon
3 hours -
‘See you soon’ – Bobrisky jets out of Nigeria
3 hours