The Minister for Lands and Natural resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor has disclosed that there will be no more forest reserve mining in the near future.
Speaking during a presser in Accra, he said responsible companies which have already acquired their licenses will be allowed to do so. However, he indicated that no more permits will be issued out to any mining company in the future.
As part of efforts to curb illegal mining in forest reserves,;the Minister then tasked the Minerals and Forestry Commissions to publish the list of all companies; holding prospecting and reconnaissance licenses in forest reserves on Friday 7th May, 2021.
The move, the Minister said will ensure “the highest standard of transparency.”
He also indicated that the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has designated forest reserves and water bodies as “Red Zones” and has directed strict enforcement of all the laws.
The Minister further disclosed that the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources (MLNR) has constituted a monitoring and evaluation team to ensure the enforcement of these measures.
“People could report persons involved in illegal mining to the desk at the Ministry for Prompt Action.”
Samuel Jinapor
Military to conduct exercise on all river bodies
The Minister for Defence, Honarable Dominic Nitiwul, also addressing the media disclosed that the operation by the military forces will be conducted on all major river bodies and forest reserves in all galamsey endemic regions throughout the country. He said this will help them to rip off illegal miners.
“There will be area patrols where GAF has already passed. Armed men have the authorization to take immediate action on anyone who returns to these water bodies as the patrol goes by air. So, once the armed forces sweep pass, we expect that nobody goes back to the place. But helicopters will carry armed men to patrol the place every three days.”
Dominic Nitiwul
The Defence Minister noted that if anybody is found operating again, the security will be tasked to take immediate action. He said whatever measure or action they will take cannot be communicated to the public now.
“They will take action. So, it is not in your interest to return to site. The task of the armed forces and the Ministry of Defence is to ensure that River Pra is clean;and we will do everything and anything to make sure it is cleaned up. We want the whole of Ghana to see the results and we will continue in all the river bodies.”
Dominic Nitiwul
He further noted that the level of degradation is unimaginable with numerous aquatic life lost completely. He indicated that some of the heavy equipment being;used for these activities on the river Pra have been withdrawn.
Inaccessibility of some mining sites
Mr. Nitiwul further posited that some of the challenges have been;the fact that some of these illegal mining sites have been inaccessible so far by the officials deployed. He also disclosed the arrest of two Chinese illegal miners since the beginning of the exercise
He urged the media to partner the security agencies and the Ministry of Lands and assist them in ensuring that they succeed in what is being done. Additionally, he said the assistance of the traditional authorities will be sort for as well.
