Executive Secretary of the Ghana National Association of the Small Scale Miners in the Ashanti Region, Adu Gyamfi has rubbished a directive made by the Defense Minister, Dominic Nitiwul that security agencies can burn any equipment seized at any ‘galamsey’ site.
The directive per the minister aimed at ending the activities of illegal mining at various forests and water bodies in Ghana.
But reacting to the minister’s directive, Mr. Gyamfi, noted that such directive does not only sound unpalatable to small-scale miners but shown that Ghanaians are not innovative enough in finding alternative solutions to simple problems.
Mr. Gyamfi who spoke on Daybreak Upper East show on A1 Radio noted that the authorities should look at the economic benefits they will derive when such seized equipment could be used for government activities or hiring.
He said “For us to be talking about burning seized excavators found in any illegal pits is below the belt. Even in our small-scale mining laws, we have it that anyone found practicing illegal mining his/her equipment will be seized and given to the state. So, instead of us talking about burning these expensive excavators, we should be looking at how to use them to make money for the state.”
The Secretary added that his outfit is part of efforts to collaborate and help bring sanity to the mining sector in the country and is putting on measures to sensitize its members on safety mining.
Mr. Gyamfi however hinted that his outfit will soon be holding an association meeting to see how they can collaborate in finding lasting solutions to end illegal mining in the country as well as protect their members.
Source: A1radioonline.com| 101.1 MHz| Moses Apiah| Ghana
