It was needless to issue a statement on 17 dead miners - Gov't

Government has stated that it was needless to issue a statement sympathizing with the 17 illegal miners who died in a mining pit in the Central region on Monday.

The government has been criticized by a section of the public for mourning with the USA during the Boston bombing but failed to commiserate with families of two separate tragedies in the country.

17 illegal miners died when an abandoned mine pit collapsed on them in the Central region while at least two persons also died after a building collapsed on them in the Ashanti region.

Rescuers removed 18 bodies from the collapsed pit on Monday, but it was unclear how many people had been at the mine though officials said they did not believe anyone else remained trapped.

However speaking to XYZ News on Wednesday, government defended its statement issued in solidarity of the Boston marathon bombings in the USA saying it was not necessary to issue a similar statement on the 17 dead illegal miners since that happened in the country.

Information and Media Relations Minister, Mahama Ayariga told XYZ Breakfast show that the criticisms are misplaced.

“We are the ones who have suffered so others should be making statements to us. They [USA] have suffered so we are making statement in solidarity.

“The DCEs and Regional Ministers would go to the families to sympathise with them on behalf of the President...well if it’s your advice that in future things like that we should issue statements we would issue statements” Mr. Ayariga stated.