The United Nations Office in Ghana is urging protesters in the ongoing demonstration against illegal mining to act peacefully and orderly as they take to the streets to demand an end to the national menace.
In a statement issued by the organization’s Resident Coordinator for Ghana, Charles Abani, it urged the police to “maintain professionalism in protecting law and order while upholding human and civil rights”.
To address the scourge of illegal mining head on, the United Nations held the view that all stakeholders across the national spectrum work hand in hand.
“We call on all leaders in Ghana – in Government, in national institutions, in political parties, in traditional and religious institutions, in civil society, the private sector and all citizens – across all opinion spectrums – to work together to address this challenge. Ghana must succeed,” the world organization’s top representative implored.
The United Nations said the West African sub-region was bearing the brunt of illegal mining, noting that Ghana was hardly a case in isolation.
Among other things, the statement observed that illegal mining in the region had worsened poverty levels, destroyed livelihood and polluted the environment.
The UN’s Representative’s statement did stop short of associating his outfit with the current demands made of government to place a ban on all forms of mining.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Mitchell Asare Amoamah
