[ 2017-04-21 ]

President Akufo-Addo reciting the National pledge

We’ll not allow Galamsey to destroy our nation – Nana Addo
President Nana Akufo Addo has reiterated his
resolve to deal with illegal mining, popularly
referred to as Galamsey. Speaking at a durbar at
the Dormaahene’s Palace in the Brong Ahafo
Region, Nana Akufo Addo said his administration
shares the concerns of many Ghanaians who are
calling for a total ban of the operations of
illegal miners.

“The Ghana handed down to us by our forefathers
is the same Ghana we must leave for the unborn
generations. We must not allow Galamsey to destroy
our country, no way” he said.

The President also touched on a number of national
issues including the activities of vigilante
groups including Delta Force, saying the law will
deal with persons who flout the law.

“If the rule of law is to work in Ghana then the
law should be no respecter of persons neither
should it be a respecter of one’s affiliations.
If you as a Paramount Chief flouts the law, the
law must deal with you.

“Whether you voted for me or not, whether you
supported me or not, I am going to be the
President for all. I am going to work with each
and everyone of you. As President I need the
support of all chiefs and traditional rulers
across the country. This is the only way by which
we can develop all parts of the country and bring
prosperity to all.

The President’s directive on Galamsey comes
hours after the Minister of Lands and Natural
Resources, Peter Amewu indicated that earth moving
machines will henceforth operate with permits in
the country.

The Minister told Citi News in an interview that,
excavators found scavenging for gold without
permit will be destroyed.

“What we want to do is that, if you own an
excavator, and for some reason you want that
excavator to go and work at a place, that
excavator must have a working permit.

So you have a permit for your concession, but the
excavator that is going to work there must also
have a permit. So in the attempt to get that
excavator a permit, that is when we are going to
put in that tracking device.

So that if they go and use the excavator for
working somewhere else which is not a demarcated
area to work, then the owner of the excavator will
be treated differently from the concession
owner.” Following the expiration of the
ultimatum given to Galamsey operators, about 544
excavators have been moved from their hideouts at
separate illegal mining sites.

Source - citifmonline.com

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