The National Coordinator for the Ghana Boundary Commission, Major General Emmanuel Kotia, has expressed worry about the removal of international boundary pillars along the Ghana-Cote D’Ivoire boundaries, including the teak plantation established by both nations.
According to him, the main reason for these removals was illegal mining in the region.
He stated that the Ghanaian Boundary Commission has collaborated with the Minerals Commission, Forestry Commission, and Geological Survey Authority to investigate and devise a plan of action to address the issue.
Major General Kotia made this statement when he toured the Dollar Power enclave in the Bole District on Thursday.
He revealed that there have been talks with their Ivorian counterparts to jointly inspect and reaffirm the international boundary line and construct boundary pillars.
“In May this year, the Ghanaian Boundary Commission and the Ivorian counterpart will meet to discuss the framework of how to undertake the project, which will involve seeking funds as the construction of international boundary pillars will serve both countries,” he added.
He said that the commission has supported the building of a feeder road along the international boundary line to Dollar Power to ease frequent inspections of the international border line and to assist security and other authorities in their activities.
Mr Samuel Tika, Deputy CEO of the Minerals Commission, stated that unlawful mining was impacting the livelihoods of people in the region, and that the commission was willing to engage them on how to regularize their operations, highlighting the Lands Minister’s demand for responsible mining.
The Forestry Commission’s Deputy CEO, Mr. Sulemana Nyadia, who represented the Deputy Minister responsible for Lands and Forestry, Mr. Benito Owusu-Bio, indicated that the miners’ operations were damaging the Mole National Park and that the agency will take actions to solve the matter.
The Dollar Power enclave had been actively being mined illegally, attracting a considerable number of visitors, including foreigners, to that portion of the park. The Ghana Geological Survey Authority has been tasked to perform thorough research to identify the quantity of mineralization and delineate zones in areas set aside for community mining.
Irene Wirekoaa Osei, ISD
