The Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources in charge of mining, Mr George Mireku Duker has stated the government’s efforts to end illegal small-scale mining will fail if it did not get support from the patriotic Ghanaians and state institutions.
He said that the government has demonstrated beyond doubt to purge the mining sector of all forms of illegalities and urged the public to join forces with the government to completely eradicate it.
Mr Mireku Duker made this statement at the inauguration of District Mining Committees for Upper East, Upper West, North East and Northern Regions.
The minister charged the committee members to act above reproach and exhibit selflessness, fairness and firmness in their activities as well as ensure that mining institutions respect the laws of the Minerals Commission.
“You are supposed to ensure that mining companies do not go beyond their concessions”, he emphasized.
The Deputy Minister maintained that the government was taking drastic legal measures to permanently address the destruction of water bodies by unscrupulous mining firms and persons.
These measures, he said, include the purchasing of speedboats for patrolling on water bodies, the training of river wardens, provision of accoutrement and support to the anti-galamsey taskforce named Operation Halt II.
On his part, the Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Stephen Yakubu appealed to the members of committees to work diligently and effectively.
That if done efficiently, he said, would elevate the northern regions from the poverty level.
The inauguration of mining committees in the four committees brings the total number of committees inaugurated to 85.
Irene Wirekoaa Osei, ISD
