Defence Minister, Dominic Nitiwul has refuted assertions that military officials deployed to stop illegal mining have confiscated gold from galamsey sites.
Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday, June 2, he revealed that 592 items including 24 excavators, 341 chanfang machines as well as 123 water pumping machines have been seized and destroyed. However, the alleged seizing of gold is untrue.
"I have been hearing people forcing the Armed Forces to accept that they have seized things that they have not seized. The Armed Forces have not seized any gold. If they have seized any gold they will declare it. It is not possible for 420 officers and men to hide anything they have seized, it is simply not possible."
His comment comes as a response to the ongoing speculation by some Ghanaians insisting that aside military officials unjustly destroying excavators and other mining equipment of miners, pieces of gold found on the site are seized.
Reacting to that, Dominic Nitiwul noted that these military officials are fully briefed and complying with the rules of engagement laid down by the incumbent government, therefore, any item confiscated or destroyed is recorded and made known to the general public.
He is of the view that no officer of the Armed Forces, "will risk his carrier and the livelihood of his family because he wants to pick an ounce of gold and hide it. It is not possible. If they have seized gold I would have stated it. They haven’t seized any gold that is why I did not state it."
"The day they will find a quantity of gold or even small pieces of gold I will say it but for now they have not we have not seized anything like that that is why I have not given an update on that particular one" he assured.
Latest Stories
-
Lifestyle audit will help identify unexplained wealth – Domelevo
10 seconds -
Media must act responsibly in live telecast of high-profile court cases – Sulemana Braimah
26 mins -
Limited registration: EC apologises for delays on Day 2, gives officials fresh directive
45 mins -
Cedi depreciation: Is remittances the forgotten saviour?
1 hour -
Yul Edochie and estrange wife May’s divorce case stalled
1 hour -
Local truck drivers deserve protection too – Ablakwa on police directive against harassing foreign drivers
1 hour -
Bawumia is respectful, intelligent, naturally humble – Dormaahene
2 hours -
Limited registration: EC hasn’t worked to perfection – Mustapha Gbande
2 hours -
AfriCAN Executive Director urges policymakers to fulfill commitments on nutrition
2 hours -
Over 70 youths and journalists in Volta Region receive Nutrition Capacity Enhancement Certificate Awards
2 hours -
GRA-SML contract: Presidency rejects MFWA’s request for full KPMG report
2 hours -
Reduce glitches to encourage more people to register – Prof Opoku-Agyeman
2 hours -
Samira Empowerment Humanitarian Projects begins BECE Revision Project in Ashanti and Eastern Regions
2 hours -
U.S military aid to Ghana surpasses $28m, rallies allies to boost maritime security
2 hours -
Ghana League: Hearts of Oak thump Chelsea in Berekum to return to winning ways
2 hours