The Ghana Chamber of Mines has criticised government’s decision to remove all security personnel from mining communities and concessions across the country.
They say the move will contribute to the gradual decline in security in these mining areas.
President of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Eric Asubonteng, called for government to reconsider and rescind their decision since it is not in the best interest of the mining sector.
“Unfortunately, the decision of government to withdraw its public security officers, particularly the soldiers from the mines, in general, has culminated in the deteriorating of the security climate of these mines and the adjoining communities that these mines operate in,” he said.
Government’s resolve to end illegal mining was given a boost with the deployment of security personnel to three regions considered the most affected by the menace in August 2017.
But it seems they will be withdrawn by government soon much to the disappointment of organisations like the Ghana Chamber of Mines.
Mr Asubonteng lamented that the private security guards that member companies contract, are less equipped as compared to the national security personnel to handle the threats posed by the armed illegal miners and other miscreants.
“While the chamber acknowledges and respects government’s prerogative in deploying public security officers to protect high-value investments, we respectfully suggest that it must not be done in a manner that makes the business community worse off,” he said at a training program for public security officers in Cape Coast.
“The current strategy of government to deploy its security officers to a mine only after the occurrence of serious incidents does not auger well for the operations of our members and the strategic interest of the state,” he said.
Latest Stories
-
T-bills: Interest rates increased for first time since January 1; government fails to meet target
14 mins -
Ghana retains 10th position with lowest fuel price in Africa
21 mins -
Will Ghana’s democracy stand the test of time in the 2024 elections?
3 hours -
Hindsight: Dreams fairytale run proved one thing; it is possible
5 hours -
God makes rulers, not you; you can’t choose your successor – Mahama to Akufo-Addo
6 hours -
Contributors own SSNIT, they must decide who becomes its Director-General – Austin Gamey
6 hours -
Move away from theory-based learning towards practical learning approaches – AUCC President to students
7 hours -
Haaland scores as Manchester City beat Nottingham Forest
8 hours -
Villas-Boas elected Porto president
8 hours -
Situation on frontline has worsened, Ukraine army chief says
8 hours -
US doctor describes witnessing starvation in northern Gaza
8 hours -
CAFCC: RS Berkane make final after USM Alger refused to play 2nd leg over Moroccans’ jersey
8 hours -
Elon Musk in China to discuss enabling full self driving
8 hours -
PSG clinch Ligue 1 title after Lyon’s win over Monaco
10 hours -
Guinness Ghana sets the pace at Ghana Beverage Awards with six awards
11 hours