The Executive Director of the Chamber of Mines, Kenneth Ashigbey, has expressed concern over the persistence of illegal mining, saying operators have become increasingly bold despite ongoing government efforts to curb the menace.
Speaking on TV3’s Daily Brief, August 6, a year on after the death of the 8 government officials who were on a national duty against illegal mining, Ashigbey acknowledged the work of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), but said galamsey activities are increasingly ongoing.
According to him, the growing audacity of illegal miners is evident in several communities, where mining activities continue openly.
He cited Apedwa, where he claimed seven excavators are currently engaged in illegal mining, and the stretch between Bunso and Anyinam, where, he said, illegal mining operations are visible from the roadside.
“And my pain is that after sacrificing this life, what we had heard the Minister for Foreign Affairs tell us, unfortunately, we are not seeing it. In terms of the intensity, we are not seeing.
“The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources is making a lot of effort with NAIMOS and all of that but unfortunately, the impudence, the audacity of the criminals have really gone high.
“As we speak today, in the town of Apedwa there are seven excavators in the town mining illegally. When you drive from Bunso to Anyinam, on the side of the road, you will see illegal mining going on,” he asserted.
Ashigbey also raised concerns about alleged illegal mining activities around Lake Bosomtwe, claiming that an individual identified as Charles Antwi is destroying hills in the area despite being publicly named by the Ashanti Regional Minister.
He questioned why the suspect had not yet been arrested, arguing that stronger enforcement is needed to deter offenders.
While commending the government’s anti-galamsey initiatives, Ashigbey maintained that much more must be done to effectively tackle illegal mining and honour the memory of those who have lost their lives in the fight against the environmental destruction caused by the practice.
“Yes, there is a lot of efforts and NAIMOS activities but what it is that we ought to do to honour the memory of these people, unfortunately that is not still happening and that is my pain. I am really saddened.”
