An environmentalist, Godfred Yao Agbenyeke at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Upper East Region, says politicians and chiefs are directly aiding illegal mining activities otherwise known as ‘galamsey.
He laments chiefs and politicians who are supposed to champion the fight against illegal mining are involved in the menace which is raping off Ghana’s virgin water bodies and vegetative cover.
“Most of the galamsey activities even going on are being supported by politicians and our chiefs” he said.
The environmental officer backed his claim stating “the corruption in the system have made the politicians so rich that, our chiefs are also realizing that if they have land and they can also make money from the land why not they give it out, because they also want to make the money”
Mr. Agbenyeke said this in Bolgatanga during a forum organized by the Navrongo-Bolgatanga Diocese as part of activities organized by the diocese to inculcate in citizens the desire to practice good sanitation.
Upper East Regional Minister, Rockson Ayine Bukari, said government is poised to clamp down on illegal mining activities in the country.
“In this regard, with the Operation Vanguard in place, 200 rollers have been procured by government to facilitate the work of the officers on the ground to fight against the ‘galamsey’ menace” he stated.
Mr. Bukari added that “the inter-ministerial committee for mining is also equally working around the clock to coming out with modalities to fight the menace. Besides, all the MMDAs across the country are to form district mining committees to control the activities of these illegal mining operators.”
By: Joshua Asaah|A1radioonline.com|101.
