The Convenor of the Anti-Galamsey Coalition, Dr Kenneth Ashigbey, has called on President John Dramani Mahama to immediately dismiss all Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) and Police Commanders in areas where illegal mining activities continue unchecked.

He argued that such an action is critical to holding local authorities accountable for the persistent environmental destruction caused by galamsey.

Speaking to Citi FM, Dr Ashigbey also recommended that dismissed officials be interdicted and investigated for possible complicity in the illegal trade.

“I would be asking the President that anywhere there is galamsey, he should dismiss the DCE, the MCE, and the police commanders in those communities. After that, you immediately interdict them and start investigating them for complicity,” he said.

His comments come in the wake of the arrest of four people following a violent confrontation between illegal miners and the Special Anti-Galamsey Taskforce at Bonteso in the Amansie South District of the Ashanti Region.

According to reports, the clash began when the taskforce intercepted an excavator involved in illegal mining.

A group of miners, allegedly incited by the local assembly member, Patrick Asare, attacked the officers with stones, blocked all exit routes, and opened fire.

The taskforce responded with what it described as “appropriate force” to secure their safe exit, impounding one excavator in the process.

The four suspects are expected to be transferred to Accra for further investigation and prosecution as authorities intensify efforts to clamp down on illegal mining operations.