Okyehene cautions recalcitrant 'galamsey' operatives

The Okyehene Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panyin has cautioned recalcitrant illegal miners who use the cover of darkness to galamsey to put a stop to it since his office will not shield anyone when apprehended.

Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panyin therefore charged the security apparatus including national security to move in to apprehend such culprits.

The Okyehene said this at his palace when he hosted the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, John Peter Amewu at an official launch to reclaim 18 illegal mining sites in Kyebi in the Eastern Region.

Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, and President of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs, commended the Akufo-Addo led government for the initiative.

The exercise dubbed, Kyebi Reclamation Project, according to the Lands and Natural Resources Minister, John Peter Amewu, is in two phases, and will be replicated at illegal mining sites across the country.

“When we finally sanitize the system and allow the small scale miners to start working, we will ask them to put in place some form of reclamation bond, which was discussed earlier, now that work will be negotiated with small-scale miners. We are seeking support from anyone who cares about the environment.

A reclamation fund will be launched, we have had some support from the Australian high commission, the Chinese embassy is on board, the Canadian High Commission and a letter came from the DIFID. A lot of institutions are prepared to help address this environmental issue; we are looking for funding from the World Bank too” he noted.

Mr. Amewu said “Currently, there is a framework of joint action between Ghana and Ivory Coast, and the princes of Wale; they are trying to support this course, for a sustainable unit of the environment. We cannot get all the money but we will look all over, to get some money to start something, the government is already constrained in terms of the money involved he reiterated.