I know there are some Chinese involved in Galamsey - Chinese Ambassador

Accra, Ghana - September 13, 2024 - The Chinese government has issued a warning to its citizens in Ghana, urging them to refrain from engaging in illegal mining activities, also known as galamsey, which has caused widespread environmental devastation in the country.

The warning comes as Ghana grapples with a severe water crisis, with the Ghana Water Company attributing the pollution of key water sources to illegal mining.

In a recent press engagement, Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, Tong Defa, acknowledged that some Chinese individuals are involved in illegal mining, but stressed that the Chinese government strongly discourages such activities.

“I know there are some Chinese involved in this illegal mining but we discourage them," he said.

“I accompanied President Akufo-Addo to Beijing when he met our President in 2018, our President told him that ‘if any Chinese committed any illegal sins here in Ghana, you should hold them accountable to your laws’. So we discourage Chinese people from doing this illegal mining,” he added.

The Ambassador's remarks come as Ghana seeks solutions to the worsening galamsey crisis, which has ravaged water bodies and forest reserves, sparking concerns about the country's environmental sustainability.

The Chinese government's warning to its nationals in Ghana is seen as a significant step towards addressing the crisis, as the two countries work together to find lasting solutions to the environmental challenges posed by illegal mining.

Source: Lead News Online