The Amansie South District Assembly says it is resolute in pursuing illegal miners whose operations are wreaking devastation on the environment.
District Chief Executive, Clement Opoku Gyamfi, said even though fighting illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, is challenging, the Assembly will not be discouraged.
“We are doing a lot to curb it,” he said.
“The difficulty is there are legally-acquired small scale miners in the district, and the illegal miners are also operating alongside. So it has always been difficult sieving the legally-acquired concession owners from the illegal mining activities”.
The DCE said the illegal miners are constantly being called out for arrest and prosecution.
“I wouldn’t say it’s a zero there, but we’re doing our best,” he said.
Mr Opoku Gyamfi, speaking on 'Luv in the Morning' on Luv FM on Wednesday, said the Assembly ensures foreign nationals do not engage in small-scale mining.
Foreign nationals are barred from operating in Ghana’s small scale mining sector.
But there are concerns about some Chinese miners boldly mining away with huge equipment in some mining communities in the Ashanti region.
Mr Opoku Gyamfi says sanctioning such Chinese lies in the hands of security institutions.
“Recently, we got hold of eight Chinese, but the point is when you arrest them, you don’t have the power to keep them. So you have to hand them over to the appropriate institution, and in this case, the Immigration, so it’s up to them to take it up,” he stated.
Speaking on Luv Fm, the DCE called for support in the Assembly’s reclamation of illegally mined lands as the assembly advocates for establishing community mining schemes in the area to increase opportunities for young people seeking livelihoods from mining.
Latest Stories
-
Ejisu by-election: Kwadaso MP gave money to EC officials out of goodwill – Ahiagbah
14 mins -
Millennium City: Land owner breaks silence on fatal shooting of soldier
15 mins -
Photos of 2024 Aboakyer Festival
51 mins -
#JustTurned18: I now have an opportunity to use my thumb to bring someone into power – Excited prospective voters
1 hour -
OSP acted as a whistleblower transferring Cecilia Dapaah’s case to EOCO – Sammy Darko
1 hour -
IMF calls for tariff adjustment for energy sector cost recovery
2 hours -
Samson’s Take: Journalists, block the pretentious idiots
3 hours -
Real Madrid crowned LaLiga champions after Barcelona’s defeat at Girona
4 hours -
Daniel Otting Awuah elected SRC President of Ghana School of Law
5 hours -
Lawrence Ati-Zigi signs St. Gallen contract extension
5 hours -
We should be careful not to destroy our institutions without just cause – Serebour Quaicoe
5 hours -
Cecilia Dapaah’s case: EOCO hasn’t requested FBI report – Office of the Special Prosecutor
7 hours -
Andre Ayew scores 5th league goal as Le Havre beat Strasbourg
7 hours -
Ejisu by-election: NPP didn’t sanction money distribution to voters – Richard Ahiagbah
7 hours -
Ghana Health Service opens vacancies for 204 doctors, 25 dentists
7 hours