Paramount Chief of Esikado, Nana Kobina Nketsia, has defended a recent statement made by the Chinese Ambassador that no Chinese is to blame for illegal small scale mining activities in the country.

In his view, Ghanaians are responsible for the destructions caused by 'galamsey' since the activity is being championed by indigenes and not the Chinese as they have always been accused of.

"The Chinese are doing nothing. We should blame ourselves and learn from it," he said.

The Omanhene made the comments when the Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Samuel Abdulai Jinapor, paid a courtesy call on him to discuss matters of national concern including solutions to ending the menace in the country.

During the event, Nana Kobina Nketsia disclosed that previous conversations with the Chinese Ambassador indicate that the Chinese get to know about the gold through the indigenes, which he believes is very true.

"The words of the Chinese ambassador are very true. Once I met him at the IEA and he said to me that, we [Ghanaians] are the ones who bring the gold. We are also responsible for teaching them where the gold. After that, we turn around to blame the Chinese," he said.

On his part, the Lands and Natural Resources Minister, charged the Western Regional Security Council to enforce the laws against 'galamsey' without fear or favour.

This according to Mr Jinapor forms part of President Akufo-Addo’s determination to win the fight against illegal mining and other natural resources.

Briefing the media after a meeting together with the Regional Security Council, the MMDCE’s and some small-scale miners, Samuel Abu Jinapor said there would be absolutely no regard for culprits and their colouration or positions in our society in that regard.

“The law must be applied fully, there should be no consideration for whoever flouts the law whether you are an NPP member or you are an NDC member, or you are this or that,” he said Monday.

He added that President Akufo-Addo is not against mining but is rather against the destruction of the environment.

He explained that the intent is to build the country into a robust, viable, sustainable small scale mining industry that has regards for the environment.

Meanwhile, the Chief also urged Mr Jinapor to put on the amour of nationalism in his new role as the Lands and Natural Resources Minister and not allow partisan interest to cloud nationalism.