People who are dissatisfied with the seizure and burning of their excavators and other mining equipment by members of the government’s “Operation Halt” team should seek legal redress, according to President Akufo-Addo.
The President stated that he remains adamantly opposed to illegal mining and the destruction of the country’s land, water, and forest resources, and that he will do everything in his power to put an end to such activities.
Nana Akufo-Addo said the government will deal decisively with the threat of illegal mining, regardless of political, ethnic, or religious considerations, at a sod-cutting ceremony for the construction of a new school complex for the Ghana School of Law in Accra.
“I understand that some people believe that the ongoing effort to clean up our waterways and forest zones of harmful equipment and machinery is illegal and, in some cases, harsh. I strongly disagree, and I will advise those who hold a different opinion to go to court to prove their point. That is what the rule of law entails, according to Akufo-Addo.
The Ghana Armed Forces have been deployed across the country to combat illegal small-scale mining, which is threatening water bodies and forest reserves.
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The ‘Operation Halt’ taskforce has supervised the burning of various mining equipment, including excavators and generators, as part of their operations, but this activity has been widely condemned by some people who believe the seized equipment could be put to better use.
Some of the affected small-scale miners also claim that they have documents proving their operations and that they have been unfairly targeted, a situation that some fear will result in the payment of judgment debts if they choose to go to court.
President Akufo-Addo, on the other hand, is opposed to this position and believes that any opposing viewpoint should be debated in court.
“Apart from violating Act 703, such individuals’ actions desecrate our environment, pollute our water bodies, and put the lives of current and future generations of Ghanaians in jeopardy. These are horrific crimes that should not be tolerated in any way. The destruction caused by this equipment is nothing short of evil, and we must not give up on our efforts to protect our environment, forest reserves, and water bodies,” Akufo-Addo stated.
He also urged all Ghanaians to back the government’s efforts to resolve the issue.
“I appeal to all Ghanaians, including many in the opposition, to support the government in its efforts to end this far-reaching illegality and criminality, rather than advocating for the protection of non-existent rights of those caught up in this evil activity.”
Source: CITINEWSROOM
