The President of the Small Scale Miners Association, has issued a stern warning that if the government fails to take decisive action against illegal mining, particularly in forest reserves, the Association will mobilise media and stakeholders to intervene.
Michael Kojo Peprah has emphasized that illegal mining especially by Chinese nationals and others in the forest Reserve is a major contributor to the pollution of water bodies.
Many streams, rivers, and water bodies flow through these forest reserves, exacerbating the issue.
The problem of illegal mining, or “galamsey,” has become a national concern, drawing attention from Ghanaians, institutional heads, religious leaders, stakeholders, and non-governmental organizations.
They are urging the government and environmental authorities to halt the operations of illegal miners.
These calls are driven by the deteriorating state of the country’s water bodies and buffer zones, which pose significant risks for future generations.
In an interview with Adom News, he reiterated his concerns and urged collective action to combat the menace of illegal mining.
He stressed the importance of enforcing existing mining laws to achieve the desired outcomes for the country.
Mr Peprah hinted that if the government does not respond to these calls, the association will organize Ghanaians and the media to enter the forests and address the issue directly.
He said it is time to enforce the laws to protect the nation’s resources
He appealed to the government to impose a ban specifically on Chinese nationals mining in the forest reserves, adding that the ban should not affect licensed small-scale miners, distinguishing them from illegal miners.
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