Some Civil Society Organisations in Ghana are calling on the government to prosecute all Ghanaians cited to have engaged in illegal mining activities.
According to them, these individuals should face prosecution for their crimes just as the acclaimed ‘galamsey’ kingpin, Aisha Huang has been prosecuted and subsequently jailed.
Coordinator of Eco-Conscious Ghana, Awula Serwah explained that if citizens are as complicit as foreigners who are arrested for engaging in ‘galamsey’, it is imperative that these people are made to face the full rigours of the law.
She underscored the significance of the government thoroughly examining the report submitted by the former chairman of the Interministerial Committee on Illegal Mining, Professor Frimpong Boateng.
Madam Awula clarified that the report explicitly identified Ghanaian citizens and local companies involved in illegal mining activities, emphasising the necessity of prosecuting both individuals and companies named in the report for their alleged involvement in such activities.
“So we have Ghanaian companies happily polluting the environment and engaging in illegal mining. It’s a good thing that Aisha Huang has been convicted, but let’s not think that’s the end of the matter. We need to deal with Ghanaians who are leading foreigners and who themselves are destroying our forest reserves,” she said.
The Eco-Conscious Ghana coordinator also called on the government to repeal laws that permit mining operations in forest reserves.
“We ourselves are complicit, the passage of L.I. 2462 is disastrous. I asked the Chief Executive of the Minerals Commission how many licenses had been given since the passage of L.I. 2462 for forest reserves because, mind you, this very bad law, which must be repealed, allows mining in forest reserves, even globally significant biodiversity areas.
“If we understand the meaning of biodiversity, one would not understand why Parliament passed this law in November 2022 and that’s why it needs to be repealed.”
Also read: Aisha Huang jailed 4 and half years for mining offences
Madam Awula’s remarks follow the conviction of ‘galamsey’ kingpin, Aisha Huang of illegal mining offences.
The ‘galamsey queen’ was sentenced to 4-and-a-half-years in prison in addition to a fine of GH₵48,000 by an Accra High Court on Monday, December 4, 2023.
The Chinese national, also known as En Huang, was standing trial for undertaking a mining operation without a licence, facilitating the participation of persons engaged in mining operation, the illegal employment of foreigners and entering Ghana while prohibited from re-entry.
The Attorney General and Minister of Justice has served notice he will seek a review of the sentence because it is too lenient.
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