Under the leadership of Samuel Abudalai Jinapor, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, the battle against illegal mining would be free of partisanship.
The law enforcement aspect of galamsey, according to Mr. Jinapor, is still the responsibility of the country’s National Security, as well as the District and Regional Security Councils.
The Minister charged the security councils to boldly enact laws and new directives about illegal small-scale mining during an engagement with MMDCEs in the Western Region on the first day of his tour of the country.
“I want to reassure you that the president’s position on this issue is clear and unmistakable, and he has said and I want to reiterate that nobody is above the rules of this country. Whoever is complicit with this illegality would be [dealt with] by the president and his government.”
“It makes no difference who the person is; he may be an NPP or NDC bigwig, a government appointee, or even myself, the sector minister, or the deputy ministers with whom I would be working. The ministry’s officials and MMDCEs will keep an eye on each other, and no one will be above the law.”
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At a National Consultative Dialogue on Small Scale Mining, the government reaffirmed its resolve to combat illicit mining, with stakeholders urging the government to strictly enforce the country’s mining laws.
Many decisions have been made as a result of this.
Prospecting operations in forest reserves throughout the country have been ordered to be halted indefinitely by the government.
It also told the Minerals Commission not to process or approve any requests for prospecting license renewals in forest reserves.
“Persons and/or companies engaging in reconnaissance and/or prospecting in Forest Reserves, with or without legal permission, are hereby directed to suspend those operations until further notice by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources… The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources has also ordered the Minerals Commission, with immediate effect, not to approve, process, or recommend the award of reconnaissance and prospecting licenses in Forest Reserves, including their renewal and/or extension,” according to a statement from the Lands and Natural Resources Ministry.
SOURCE: ATLFMONLINE
