The Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners (GNASSM) has welcomed the call by the Lands and Natural Resource Minister, Samuel Abdulai Jinapor to deal with anyone involved in galamsey irrespective of party affiliation as a very bold step in the right direction.
It would be recalled that the Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Samuel Abudalai Jinapor, stated that the fight against illegal mining will be devoid of any form of partisanship under his watch. Mr. Jinapor said the law enforcement component of galamsey continues to be the mandate of the country’s National Security as well as the District and Regional Security Councils. In an interaction with MMDCEs in the Western Region on the first day of his tour of the area, the Minister charged the Security Councils to boldly enforce laws and new directives regarding illegal small-scale mining.
The Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners has commended the Minister for this call and has urged him to be bold enough to shame at least one or two politicians to serve as a deterrent to the others if the Minister really meant what he said. Speaking to Peace FM reporter Pious Baidoo Banson, the Communication Director for the Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners, Abdul Razak Alhassan said those on the field are not the real “galamsayers” because most are sent to the filed by political figures, therefore the Minister must tighten his measures to delve deep to uncover the real people behind the act.
According to Abdual Razak Alhassan, it’s absurd and act of wickedness for politicians to enact laws to fight galamsey and then illegally engage in it without paying the necessary taxes to help the country at the expense of the registered miners.
He stated there must be a law that will destool any chief found involving in the galamsey act to help reduce the involvement of chiefs in galamsey.
Source: Pious Baidoo Banson/Peace News
