The leader of the Minority Caucus in Parliament, Haruna Iddrisu has intimated that the minority in Parliament is demanding transparency from government in the renewed fight against ‘galamsey’.
Speaking at a media engagement,;he warned government against any attempt to cover up for persons arrested for engaging in the illegal activity.
“We are demanding greater transparency even in the President’s quest to fight ‘galamsey’. I hear a gentleman was picked up some few days ago at Flagstaff House and we are following closely.
“Nobody should make an attempt to cover up what his doings have been;relative to his engagement or involvement in ‘galamsey’. He was picked up by the National Security and they are trying to cover up;but we are following very closely. So, the President is fighting his own people and we are beginning to know them.”
Haruna Iddrisu
Government begins prosecution
Meanwhile, government has indicated that it has begun the prosecution of persons suspected to have engaged in illegal mining activities in the country. iddrisu
Announcing the development,;the Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah said so far,;there are five separate cases facing different levels of state prosecution in court.
He said these cases are not exhaustive and the Attorney General’s office is preparing documents;for more state level prosecution of persons who have flouted the country’s mining laws.
However, providing details on the ongoing court cases, he said the accused persons have been arraigned before court.
“The first is the Republic versus George Asante and 31 others. In this case,;the earlier report that came out was that some National Security operatives have been arrested engaging in illegal mining elsewhere. It turns out that these persons are not National Security operatives.
“The accused persons on 11th May, 2021;were arraigned before the Koforidua Circuit Court B on provisional charges namely two counts of conspiracy to commit crime that is reconnaissance for mines minerals and reconnaissance for mines minerals without lawful authority. The accused persons were arrested by the town folks, if you remember.”
Oppong Nkrumah
Chinese nationals arrested
The second case, the minister said is the Republic versus Yang Maoji,;a Chinese national who was arrested for mining illegally in the Pra River. He was arrested by the Operation Halt team wile on routine patrol. The third is the Republic versus Wei Gan and another. This case involves two Chinese nationals arrested in Atieku near Tarkwa in the Amenfi West district.
Another case before the court he said is the Republic versus Xue Linhua and two others. This case involves two Chinese nationals and a Ghanaian who were illegally mining in forest reserves. These illegal miners were arrested in Enchie in the Western Region and are facing prosecution.
The last case, the information minister revealed is the Republic versus Xue Linhua and five others. This case involves six Chinese nationals who were arrested in Asankragua by National Security operatives. They have been arraigned before the Kaneshie District Court on provisional charges including 6 counts of possession of firearms without lawful permit.
