The National Security Minister, Albert Kan Dapaah has warned that terrorists are likely to explore illegal small-scale mining popularly known as galamsey as an avenue to invade the country.
According to him, similar situation is happening in Ghana’s neighboring countries such as Mali and Burkina where terrorists have been attracted to gold mining.
He however assured that his office will keep tabs on the development adding that measures are being put in place to avert any possible occurrence in the country.
“In Mali, in Burkina Faso, the terrorists have always been attracted to gold mining areas. Clearly, they try to make money from gold mining activities to undertake the criminal activities that they do. The criminals may want to take advantage of galamsey activities in our country to raise money to do what they do in other countries and what they may plan to do in our country.
“We are aware of this. We are studying it. We do know what has to be done in this area, and we work hard to make sure we are not overtaken by events. But clearly, one way that you can make cheap money to go and undertake some of these criminal activities is galamsey, so it’s of interest,” Mr. Kan Dapaah assured during the Minister’s Press Briefing in Accra Sunday November 20, 2022.
The renewed fight against illegal mining (galamsey) in the country is to focus on foreign nationals and the kingpins sponsoring activities of illegal miners, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Samuel Abu Jinapor, has said.
According to him, the focus on the kingpins, barons, and foreign nationals is to cut the sources of funding of these illegal miners and also help deal with the menace in a very holistic and effective manner.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5 Fm
