Solomon TTB Zinekena, the NDC Talensi Constituency Secretary is worried about the impact mining within the Talensi District is having on the people of the area; particularly the security of the area.
Speaking on the A1 Radio’s Critical Issues, Mr. Zinekena explained that while the Talensi area is mineral rich, young people are being squeezed out of the benefits of the gold deposited in the area.
This, according to Mr. Zinekena has a direct influence on the security situation in the area.
“We are not able to do exploration to find out the areas where the deposits aren’t too deep and that that place should be limited and sold to only local miners. The small-scale miners can be assisted to get concessions; licensed ones of course.”
“When they are there, they are making a living. They are building houses. They are employing the youth and paying school fees. It would open up the area. Today, we have failed and that alone is making Talensi a security threat,” he said.
Until the mining concerns in addressed, Mr. Zinekena has expressed some grave concerns that the security situation can only worsen.
“People have tasted money, real cash. Today, they sit and even fuel to get into their motorbikes, they cannot get. What do you think it would push them to do?”
“That is why we are having a whole lot of issues. Robberies are now on the rise in Talensi. You recall that we had to cry to the IGP to step in and today, we now have a little peace in Talensi.
Source: A1radioonline.com|101.1MHz|Mark Kwasi Ahumah Smith|Ghana
