Samuel Abu Jinapor, Lands and Natural Resources Minister
The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has called on the general public to help in the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
He noted that the fight against galamsey is not going to be an event, but a process that must eventually be won.
In an interview with some media outlets in Kumasi yesterday, Mr Jinapor said government’s efforts and measures to bring an end to galamsey would continue unabated as it reviews strategies and takes into consideration ideas, proposals and suggestions from civil society and the general public.
“Operation Halt II is in session with soldiers all over the country, and we are also working assiduously to bring up reforms in the mining sector. This fight is not going to be an event; it has to be a process, and we need the support of all and sundry,” he stated.
He dismissed the idea for illegal miners to be shot and killed on site, stressing: “we are a country of due process, and the rule of law must prevail; so, no, we cannot do that; that will be against the laws of human rights”.
That notwithstanding, he warned that government would continue to enforce the law to ensure that those who are still engaging in illegalities of any sort are brought to book.
The Lands Minister reiterated a number of measures that government had put in place to nib the menace in the bud. He cited the Operations Halt II, Community Mining Scheme, the involvement of chiefs, Regional Security Council (RECSECs) and the Metropolitan, Municipal District Assemblies (MMDAs) as examples.
Mr Jinapor further expressed confidence about the measures of government to fight illegal mining. He said if all these interventions, which are geared towards the resolution of the menace, are followed through, galamsey will soon be an issue of the past.
About The Author
