Ban on galamsey killing our business - Spare parts dealers

Spare parts dealers have expressed their displeasure at the ban on galamsey imposed by government.

According to them, the activities of the galamsey operators gave them business but the ban placed on it by government has dealt them a big blow as business isn’t as booming as it was in the past.

They complained that many of their colleagues have had to quit business and go into farming and other activities as their main clients who were the galamseyers no longer troop to the shops to purchase spare parts.

One of the spare parts dealers who spoke to www.ghanaweb.com revealed that aside from the spare parts business he was into, he doubled in selling cars.

He recollected how in times past, ahead of festivities like Christmas, galamseyers purchased cars and changed parts of their cars to make them look new but that was missing this year.

“The galamseyers were helpful. They used huge cars like pick-ups and other private cars which we serviced when they break down. They weren’t afraid to spend because they dealt in gold and it was lucrative. Now they rarely come here. I sell cars too and previously ahead of Christmas, they buy for their girlfriends, children, wives but now all of that is gone”

Another spare parts dealer recommended that government regularises the activities of galamsey since it directly affects the economy of Kumasi.

“Just as the President has begun, he should continue however I want him to regularise their activities so that there are laws to govern it. They should allow both foreigners and locals to engage in galamsey. As the government brought Free SHS, we will acquire knowledge and contribute our quota to the country’s development”