Mr. Joseph Nelson, the Minister for Western Region, has tasked the Ghana Chamber of Mines to collaborate effectively with Multinational companies in the fight against illegal mining popularly known as galamsey.
He noted that the Region, being the base for mining, was greatly under siege from activities of illegal and uncontrolled mining with its ill effects on the environment both now and the future.
Mr. Nelson said: “Out of the 14 districts of my Region, 12 are under siege…is a huge one and the fight must be bigger, and I believe we must be able to stop the negative activities and it deadly effects with proper collaboration and with the laws well situated.”
He was speaking during a visit by the leadership of the Chamber of Mines to introduce the members of the new leadership of the Chamber, and solicit its support in the fight against galamsey in the Western Region.
The Western Regional Minister charged the Leadership of the Chamber to churn out fresh ideas to root out “these nefarious countrymen and foreigners bent on destroying the natural resources of the state through irresponsible mining.”
President John Mahama’s government has been under intense pressure to address illegal mining which is affecting Ghana’s water bodies and forest reserves
Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines who has been at the fore front of the galamesy noted the need for a detailed plan with the security services in the Region to help in the fight.
“We really need for the intelligence community to be dedicated to this cause …we are joined in the hip with you to work in the interest of Mother Ghana”, he added.
Dr. Ashigbey mentioned series of intervention including the Training of some Judges and Magistrates in the Western, Central and Western North Regions to properly understand the land and Minerals laws to expedite trials in such cases.
