The Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Hajia Alima Mahama, has issued a stern warning to various District Chief Executives (DCE) in the country who are engaged in illegal mining, popularly known as “galamsey” to discontinue with the practice or risk losing their jobs.
According to the minister, the fight against “galamsey” has been a difficult one because government officials at the local level who are supposed to help enforce the law against illegal mining are involved in the business themselves.
But speaking at a meeting with DCEs vis a vis the roadmap on the lifting of the ban on illegal mining in Accra today, 10th September, 2018, the minister stressed any DCE found to be engaging in galamsey, will be sacked.
“When a direction is given that this is what we want to do, to improve on the quality of life of people for the long term, you should do it. You should take it seriously and do it and then at the end of the day we are all here on earth and will go one day but you should keep positive that you came to do something here on earth for your community not just for yourself okay” she said.
She added:“…so please am telling you, we should hold on to the names but am going to put the national security on you, so if you know you are engaged in galamsey tell yourself that today is finished”.
Meanwhile, government on Monday September 3, 2018, began the vetting of small scale miners as part of a road-map towards the lifting of the ban on all forms of small-scale mining in the country.
The process also forms part of efforts to sanitize the country’s mining industry and ensure that persons engaged in the commercial activity do so in a responsible, environmentally-friendly and sustainable manner.
Government has assured that it will be transparent in the nationwide vetting of small scale miners.
By: Alex Semordzi
