The District Chief Executive for Twifo Atti-Morkwa in the Central Region, Isaac Yawson, is advocating for the ban of importation of Changfan, –the machine used for illegal mining (galamsey) –into the country.
Mr. Yawson has noted that it is the only way the government can fight against illegal mining in the country.
“If we ban the importation of changfan machine, the galamsey activities will stop” the DCE told Onua News in an interview on how he is fighting against the illegal mining menace in the District.
“We should not ban the importation of excavators but chanfang. When the Chinese came and they were using the chanfang on our water bodies, we didn’t know what it was meant for but we later realised their activities were destroying the water bodies. The machine does so many things but the purpose was for galamsey,” he added.
Mr. Yawson said, “if we can ban it, for the next five years, the illegal mining will reduce drastically because the machine is not reparable and even if it is repaired, in no time, it will develop fault again so the only way to fight it is to ban it.”
He explained that it is good government was fighting the menace with the security officers but advised that the banning of the changfan will serve a better purpose since the officers cannot be on site all the time.
Mr. Yawson explained that the government is not against mining but it is against illegal mining, advising persons seeking to enter the mining business to secure permit to do so justifiably.
Sanitation in Twifo Praso
The DCE said the district had challenges on environmental issues but he is in talks with the Zoomlion for the clearing of the only refuse site in the area which has been in insanitary condition for several years. He said the place has been cleared for proper sanitary conditions in the area.
Education
He said the District has some challenges with educational infrastructure but he will liaise with the Central Regional Education Directorate on how to help with the school infrastructure.
Mr. Yawson said they went for a ‘Thank You’ tour to some communities and observed the sorry state of some basic schools which he intends seeking support from Getfund and the District Assembly Common Fund to renovate those schools.
Rural electrification
He said there are about twenty-nine (29) communities in the District that do not have electricity but will seek support from the Energy Ministry to connect them to the national grid.
He said this is affecting the livelihood and businesses in these communities which must be tackled head on.
Roads
On roads, Mr. Yawson said the District has some deficits but was hopeful with the promise from President Mahama during his ‘Thank You’ tour, most of their roads would be constructed just as he promised to continue the Kasoa – Winneba Junction road to Cape Coast.
Health
The DCE noted that the District Hospital had electricity challenges but through his interventions, the hospital now has electricity. He noted that his recent unannounced visit revealed the hospital lacks personnel and vehicles, assuring that he will activate his contact with the Health Ministry and the Ghana Health Service to get them staff and vehicles.
“The hospital has about forty casual workers which drains the hospital’s internally generated funds,” he explained.
4 persons died in galamsey pits at Sefwi Akontombra during the month of April – Police
By Timothy Antwi-Otoo|OnuaNews
