Two people who were involved in unlawful mining known as galamsey at Nweneso No.I,a farming community in the Atwima Kwanwoma district of Ashanti region, have been arrested by the police in the district on Monday afternoon.
The two who were illegally mining in the aforementioned town in the Atwima Kwanwoma district despite government and the media war against unlawful mining is in the police custody.
During a tour to inspect mining sites by the district chief executive, Hon. Nana Antwi Okyere Tawiah with his team of men including the district police command led by DSP Augustine Mensah caused the arrest of the two who were on site mining.
Though, this paper can confirmed that during the inspection by the district assembly including the police, those mining at the river side and forest reservations have removed all their excavators from site,however,the two who were spotted were using another form to mine by digging deep round holes to get their gold.
In an interview with the district chief executive, Hon. Nana Antwi Okyere Tawiah after the exercise, he said, as President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo has promised Ghanaians that he will not relent in the illegal mining fight, so as the district also won’t allow the miners to defy government’s directives.
He revealed that when he assumed office short while ago, there were reports coming from various villages that some people are still on site mining but when he sent the police to go for their arrest, they found no one on site. This means the directive of government to ban illegal mining is working but there are some people who will defy the directives from government and that is why they have been arrested.
According to the DCE,the district assembly headed by him has held several district security meetings to ensure the directive from government are followed and that sometimes, he instruct the police to patrol on some mining sites to inspect whether the miners are on site.
‘’I love my people and under no circumstances will I allow others to destroy farmlands and river bodies which serves as the main source of water to some communities, including forest reserves’’,said Hon Okyere Tawiah.
The DCE who was surprised about the activities of these miners said, it was his first time of seeing the type of mining being used by the culprits, digging round holes deeply to search for the rich mineral, posing great risk to their lives. It is also risky to farmers who may not be aware that those holes have been left without covering them.
Though, he said, he is not against mining because if one can recall, the Chinese were able to export over 7 billion dollars to their country adding that if proper ways are used to mine as it happens in other parts of the world, government won’t wage any war on anyone mining in this country.
He thanked the team of men who were part of the entourage during the exercise on Monday including the assemblyman of the area and also the Municipal coordinating director, Mr. Emmanuel Ntoso for their able support to ensure the war on illegal mining by government won’t be defied by people but will be sustainable.
By Martin Osei Tutu
(martinoseitutu@gmail.com)