As part of measures in dealing with illegal mining activities in the country, the Director of Research at the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), John Kwakye has suggested that an embargo be placed on small scale mining.[ads2]
To him, banning small scale mining activities for a period of two years will help in the fight against illegal mining activities otherwise known as galamsey in the country.
He believes the destruction of water bodies and the environment in general by galamsey activities is on the high hence the need to implement measures to deal with the menace.
“Looking at the rate galamsey is destroying our forests and water bodies, all small-scale mining should be banned for at least 2 years to allow sanity to be restored to the system,” Dr Kwakye tweeted.[ads3]
Meanwhile, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako otherwise known as Chairman Wontumi has squashed reports linking him to galamsey activities.
Even though his company, Akonta Mining Limited is said to have been operating unlawfully in the Nimri Tano forest reserve in the Amenfi West Municipality of the Western Region, Chairman Wontumi believes he has all the required documents.
It will be recalled that the Forestry Commission was instructed to stop the activities of Akonta Mining Limited but Mr. Boasiako has indicated that he is willing to allow due process.[ads4]
“I am appealing to them to use the law. They should do their investigations, and we should let the law work,” he said on his TV station, Wontumi TV.
On whether he is engaging in illegal mining activities, Chairman Wontumi said, “I want to tell the public that I am not into galamsey.”
“I have a large scale company which Akonta mining is under… All the required documents I have, I will make all available,” he added[ads5]
