By Elsie Appiah-Osei
Accra, Oct 07, GNA- Mr Martain Kwaku Ayisi, Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission, has called for more investment geological surveys to combat illegal mining, popularly known as “galamsey.”
He stated: “I would rather request additional funding for a geological survey to aid their investigations.”
At a public hearing held by Parliament’s Government Assurances Committee in Accra on Monday, the CEO said: “We have to start it now aggressively to release the money to private people, geological survey to go out there and start exploring.
“The geological Survey has the experience, but within the shirt space, they cannot cover 13 regions within a short time for a radical solution.’
He, therefore, cited Greater Accra, Volta and Oti regions as the three regions exempted from the activities of Galamsey, while Ashanti, Savannah and Eastern are the most affected regions.
However, the CEO confidently dismissed these allegations, emphasizing that the Commission is well-equipped to manage its responsibilities efficiently.
Regarding the Commission’s workforce, Mr. Ayisi denied claims of understaffing and assured the Committee that the Commission had sufficient resources to carry out its inspection and regulatory duties.
He assured the Committee that the Commission has both the personnel and the logistics required to effectively oversee the mining industry.
The CEO’s comments came in response to alleged widespread reports that the Commission was experiencing operational difficulties due to staffing shortages.
He said: ” Honourable Chairman, capacity-wise, I think we are okay. I was listening to the news this morning, and I heard one of the radio stations talking about capacity; we are understaffed, and it’s not the case. I heard someone say that our seven inspectors have been dismissed, but that is not the case.”
“In terms of resources for training, in terms of resources to hire more people, we are okay,” Mr. Ayisi told the Committee.
GNA