Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joseph Osei Owusu, has re-echoed his strong stance on granting security agencies and others the power to shoot and kill any individual found engaging in illegal mining (galamsey) activities.

His comment comes on the heels of recent conversations on the devastation caused by illegal mining activities, prompting calls by Ghanaians and civil society organisations to ban small-scale mining activities in the country.

Speaking on Accra-based Asaase Pa radio, the Bekwai legislator recounted his experience with some miners during one of his tours where they breached prospecting permits to mine in unauthorised areas.

"I visited one illegal mining site where they informed me that they have a prospecting license, and that license only allows you to dig one-foot square and dig down to mine, but with what you’ve dug it’s about 100 meters square. They had destroyed all the land with no license, so with such a person when he is shot, what is wrong? Once we meet you on the river destroying it, we must kill you," he said.

Mr Osei Wusu made a similar suggestion in 2018 when the country’s lands, rivers and other natural resources were destroyed by illegal mining activities.

Although some people do not subscribe to his suggestion, Mr Osei Wusu is convinced the shoot-and-kill strategy is one of the few means to deter others from participating in that illicit activity.

He believes since it is difficult for the illegal miners to be arrested and made to face the rigours of the law, it would only be prudent to gun them down.

"During the operation galamstop, if the soldiers arrive to arrest them, they all dive into the water and swim away. So, this person, can you arrest him? The only best way is to find a sniper to hide and shoot him," he added.

Joe Wise portends "Anybody who mines on water bodies is a wicked person and must be killed”.