Kofi Bentil, the Vice President of IMANI Africa, has told the John Mahama government that declaring areas as security zones is good, but not enough in the galamsey fight.
According to Kofi Bentil, more measures will need to be taken to win the fight against illegal mining.
Speaking on TV3 Key Points on Saturday, September 27, Kofi Bentil stated, “Go beyond security zones, it is good but not enough, let the state confiscate the lands”.
The land minister at the closing ceremony of the week-long intensive training programme for personnel of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) stated, “You are the sharpened tip of the spear. Any recalcitrant entrant into these declared Security Zones is not merely a trespasser; they are an enemy of the state and are to be treated as such. You are to be firm, resolute, and ruthless against those who seek to profit from the destruction of our common heritage and at our expense”.
“We cannot fail, and we will not fail,” he emphasised.
Also, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, speaking on GTV, announced that the John Mahama-led government will declare all water bodies and forest reserves security zones.
The Lands minister warned that anyone caught engaging in illegal mining within these protected areas will do so at their own risk.
Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah detailed, “We are moving another step further, and that step says we are going to declare all the water bodies and our forests security zones. And you stay there and engage in illegal mining activity at your own risk. That is the step,”
“When the President said that we are going to use all the steps, that’s what he meant. And so I’m very confident. How can people leave red zones for you when you come and clear within nine months? And those people who have caused the damage have the audacity to be talking?” he said.
He added, “I think that the Attorney General is on top of this matter, and anybody engaged in illegal mining, we don’t care who you are or how politically connected, we will arrest and prosecute you”.
Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah further assured that the government will ensure the strict and impartial prosecution of illegal mining offenders.
He stressed, “We don’t care who you are or how politically connected you may be. Anyone arrested will be prosecuted. This time, there are no calls from anybody, no interference”.
“We are not only enforcing the law, we are reforming it. Our aim is to stop the bleeding, restore our rivers, and ensure that mining is done responsibly,” he said.
Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, has given a detailed breakdown of the government’s illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey fight, after eight months in office.
According to the Lands Minister, 1400 galamseyers have been arrested, 440 excavators and over 800 changfans have also been seized in 8 months of the NDC government.
He reaffirmed the Mahama government’s commitment to protecting the environment and also regulating opportunities in the mining sector.
Speaking on GTV on Wednesday, September 24, the Lands Minister detailed, “We have seized 440 excavators and more than 800 changfans. We have mobilised Blue Water Guards in key regions, and they are making a difference”.
“We are also now providing critical alternatives, and we are saying that if you want to do mining, we are going to give you the training and build your capacity to work with large-scale mining companies,” he explained.