The Acting Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, has condemned in strong terms the recent attack on officials of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and five journalists during an anti-galamsey operation in the Ashanti Region.
The team, led by EPA Chief Executive Professor Nana Ama Brown Klutse, was reportedly ambushed by illegal miners at Dadwene near Afari while enforcing a ban on the sale and production of chanfan machines used for mining.
The group’s vehicle later crashed as they fled for safety, leaving several people injured, including two journalists who were said to be in critical condition.
Addressing the media on behalf of the Minister, the Director of Communications at the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Ama Mawusi Mawuenyefia, described the incident as “unfortunate” and called for calm as investigations continue.
“Still on the matter of galamsey, a team from the Environmental Protection Authority led by the CEO, Professor Nana Ama Brown Klutse, were involved in a motor accident in Afari just yesterday, after they were being chased by illegal miners dredging the community near Obuasi,” Mawuenyefia explained.
She said the EPA team had embarked on nationwide operations to ensure compliance with the directive banning unlicensed chanfan machines.
“They were conducting operations around the country, going around to ascertain who was operating these machines or manufacturing the floating devices without permit and to close down shops. And it was on one of these operations around Dadwene that the illegal miners spotted them and decided to attack them with pelts and stones,” she said.
According to her, the group had to flee to save their lives but got involved in a crash while escaping. “Two journalists were in critical condition… One had to be operated on and had surgery yesterday. Several others sustained injuries,” she added
Mr. Buah, through her, expressed “utmost disappointment” over the incident, warning that such acts of lawlessness will not deter government from enforcing environmental regulations.
“Mining is not illegal. Mining is viable, mining is a legal activity,” she stated. “However, the illegalities in the trade — mining in water bodies, near water bodies, mining in forest reserves, mining by the roadside, mining without permits — those illegalities are considered criminal. And those illegalities are not going to be tolerated.”
The Acting Minister reaffirmed government’s commitment to protecting the environment and warned that offenders, regardless of status or affiliation, would face the law.
“Government’s commitment to protect our land, water bodies, and the sanctity of our environment remains unwavering and devoid of political polarization,” he stressed.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
