Florence Afriyie Mensah
Terchire (A/R), April 16, GNA – Alhaji Collins Dauda, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Lands and Natural Resources, has recommended a unit of the military deployed and permanently stationed in forest reserves to ward off illegal miners.
He was of the view that many approaches of the government had not been successful but was optimistic that when this approach was practiced for a few years, “it will die completely, and we will be able to protect the water bodies and forest reserves.”
The practice where when we hear there is an illegal operation in Tano-Offin Forest Reserve and we deploy a task force, they go in there for a few days, they hide, when the taskforce leaves, they go back to the site cannot resolve this matter.
This way is a knee jerk action to solving a problem”, he stated.
Alhaji Dauda was speaking after a two-day working visit to the Newmont Ahafo South Mine and Newmont Ahafo North Project sites in the Ahafo Region.
The visit facilitated by the Ghana Chamber of Mines, afforded the Parliamentary Select Committee on Lands and Natural Resources to familiarize with the operations of these Mine.
Going forward, this will help the Committee to better articulate the laws and help position mining as a catalyst for development.
Alhaji Dauda indicated that the government alone could not solve the issue and called on all stakeholders to play active roles in the fight.
He mentioned that although Newmont was contributing its bit to the fight against galamsey, “they should do more for people in their communities to help stop the destruction on the land and in water bodies.”
Mr Alex Kofi Annin, General Manager, Newmont Ahafo South Mine, on his part indicated that illegal mining was a bigger problem for the entire nation, including Newmont because safety and lives of people were of great importance.
He was worried about how people put their lives at risk during illegal mining considering the extent to which these operators would go blasting and doing all sorts of dangerous activities.
“This has to stop, we are losing young energetic individuals within our community, and it is important that we take drastic measures to stop this menace”, he pleaded.
Mr Annin said the Mine’s worry now was illegal miners encroaching the active mining areas, adding that “we work with bigger equipment, and they also have their line and site of blind spot.”
He pleaded with illegal miners to stay off the active mining enclaves in order not to put their lives at risk.
Mr Ahmed Nantogmah, acting Chief Executive Officer, Ghana Chamber of Mines, said the Chamber would continue to advocate for responsible mining.
He said as a new parliament, it was important to acquaint with the operations of the various mines in Ghana to better present their challenges, progress and the way forward for the sector in successive discussions in parliament.
GNA
KOM/CA