The Environment Minister has said influential people aiding illegal miners engaged what is popularly referred to as ‘galamsey’ will be sanctioned.

Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng urged persons interested in engaging in the mining business to enter the field, the right way.

“If you want to earn money from mining, do the right thing - get a concession, go for training to do sustainable mining,” he told Daniel Dadzie, host of Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, Monday.

The fight against galamsey has been ongoing for three years and the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining which was set up to rid of the canker has recently called on the media and public to help advocate against the menace.

The Committee recently appealed to the media and stakeholders to step up advocacy against galamsey as the 2020 elections approach. Speaking on Newsfile on Saturday, Project Coordinator for the Committee, Dr Naa Dedei Tagoe said since 2020 is an election year, the miners can blackmail the appointees of government with votes.

Describing the situation as a complex one, the Environment Minister added that the fight against galamsey which is still ongoing is being opposed by some political party members and some chiefs.

“It’s a very complex situation and we have to deal with it as Ghanaians by trying to educate Ghanaians that if you do the wrong thing you will be sanctioned.”

“We will not allow illegalities to go on” he stressed.

The Minister explained that ‘Galamsey’ still exists “because of who we are. The government has taken steps to do what is good for the people.”

However, “I believe that the things that made the slave trade possible in Africa are still with us because we don’t know what is precious to us and we’ll give out what is precious for nothing.”