Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has disclosed that security agencies have made over 1,345 arrests nationwide in the ongoing fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
Speaking at the Government Accountability Series on Wednesday, July 23, Mr. Buah revealed that in addition to the arrests, 425 excavators and other mining equipment have been seized.
He commended the collaborative efforts of the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana Armed Forces, the National Security Secretariat, and the Attorney General’s office for their continued support in curbing the menace.
The Minister emphasized that prosecutions are progressing steadily and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to restoring Ghana’s degraded lands and forest reserves.
Providing further details specific to the Forestry Commission and forest reserves, Mr. Buah indicated that:
177 excavators, 4 bulldozers, 12 vehicles, 43 motorcycles, 155 pumping machines, 184 chanfangs, 15 metal detectors and 10 heavy-duty generators have been confiscated.
“In collaboration with the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana Armed Forces, the National Security secretariat, including the Attorney general, 425 excavators and other machineries have been seized. We have also made 1345 arrests nationwide since we started and prosecutions are steadily progressing. I will specifically give you some numbers and show your the specifics and this is just related to the forestry commission and the forest reserves.”
“177 excavators have been seized under the forestry commission, 4 bulldozers, 12 vehicles, 43 motorcycles, 155 pumping machines, 184 chanfangs, 15 detector machines and 10 heavy generators have all been seized and two 286 persons have also been arrested under the forestry commission.”
Illegal mining has remained one of the country’s most pressing environmental and socio-economic challenges, with devastating impacts on water bodies, farmlands, and local communities.
The government’s crackdown seeks to restore sanity in the sector and ensure that mining activities are carried out responsibly and sustainably.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
