Galamsey Epidemic: Minerals Commission CEO bemoans police apathy
Accra, Ghana - October 7, 2024 - The Minerals Commission has expressed frustration over the lack of action from Ghanaian police in combating illegal mining activities, particularly near the Anyinam Police Station.
Speaking to the Government Assurances Committee of Parliament on October 6, 2024, CEO of the Minerals Commission Martin Ayisi emphasized that mining in water bodies is strictly prohibited, yet no arrests have been made.
Ayisi's concerns highlight the ongoing struggle against galamsey, a term used to describe uncontrolled and illegal mining in Ghana. The practice has devastating environmental and social impacts, including deforestation, water pollution, and food insecurity.
“Anybody who gets into the river bodies is involved in an illegality. If someone gets into the rivers, they go at night, like 10: pm, or 11: pm there, and then by 4:am, they fold up.
“Once the Minerals Commission reports to the appropriate security agencies that people are working at night, our job ends there. So, I struggle a little bit. Let me use the Konongo as an example, so the District Officer of Minerals Commission goes around to monitor operations, that is his job, and ensure that those who have been licensed follow the law, and some do breach… And he chanced upon an activity where people were mining.
“There are two things that he will do, he will report to the District Assembly and say he has found this activity which is close to the road.
“What the District Assembly has to do is to organise the security forces to stop the activity ahead of DISEC. We have reported several times that people are mining behind the Anyinam Police Station which we have not permitted. How come the police are not taking action,'' he added.
Source: Lead News Online
