Political Scientist Dr Amoako Baah has defended the burning of excavators by the military in the government’s renewed fight against illegal mining ‘Galamsey’.
According to him, there are laws that back the controversial measure.
This is contrary to submissions by some individuals and organizations including OccupyGhana, describing the torching of these machines as illegal.
He insists that the same measures are being employed in parts of the United States of America and the United Kingdom.
Speaking to Francis Abban on the Morning Starr, the former KNUST lecturer said “the constitution says exactly what the president is saying. So asking us to go to court is lawful. With the burning of excavators, there are laws to back it.”
“There are provisions in the constitution, at least five.”
He quoted articles 18(2), 20 (1), 257 (1) & (6) of the Constitution of Ghana as laws that back the burning of excavators.
He noted “we bring the police, they’re still doing it. Take them to court, they’re still doing it. You bring the military, they’re still doing it. What else should we do?”
Dr Baah contends that should rather be seized, “you seize it, next thing you know it’s not there so the machine has to be gone for good. The continuous physical presence of the excavator means your fight against galamsey is not over. When the excavator is seized, it’s at the prerogative of the government to do what it wants with it.”
“The burning of excavators is another approach. If you go to court and win against gov’t, the government will compensate you,” he added.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5fm
