Gov’t’s attempt to gag Otumfour and unlawful destroying of excavators are cases of self setup for failure in the fight against illegal mining.

The Executive Director for Social Democracy and Development
Dialogue Forum, has hinted that the Akufo-Addo government is in for another self inflicted destruction as a result of how the government continued to fight against illegal mining

In a Press release signed by the Executive Director of the group, Mr Koku Mawuli Nanegbe stated that the attempt by the government to gag Asantehene in coming out to speak truth to government and the decision to unlawfully burn down excavators at sites confirm that the government is on the path of self destruction which, according to the group, fears may lead the country into a huge judgement debt in the future.

Kindly read the full statement as issued out by the group

For Immediate Release

May 20, 2021

RENEWED ILLEGAL MINING FIGHT: AS GOVT IS IN SELF SETUP FOR ANOTHER FAILURE, SECTOR MINISTERS MUST SOLELY BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR JUDGMENT DEBTS/ FINANCIAL LOSS CHARGES FOR THE ILLEGALITIES – BURNING OF EXCAVATORS

The Organization, Social Democracy and Development Dialogue Forum – Africa (SDDDF-Africa) is of the view that the attempt by the Akufo Addo Govt to gag Asantehene Otumfour Osei Tutu II on the galamsey menace as well as acting unlawful by destroying excavators found in the neighborhood of illegal mining sites are cases of self setup for another huge failure in the fight against illegal mining.

It is for good reasons that ACT 703 which regulates Ghana’s Minerals and Mining sector was amended and section 99 of the ACT is made very explicit as to how to handle arrested persons or found equipment and or product at the illegal mining sites.

SDDDF Africa can authoritatively state that destruction or burning of excavators (mining equipment in general) is not an option in the law and so those authorizing the burning must hold themselves up for a likely judgment debt/financial loss to the state charges as this very government is already saddled with $15million judgment debt for destroying excavators and this had happened at a time that as a state we have a huge need for the equipment to fix many challenges.

SDDDF Africa is at a loss as to why government is unprepared to involve other stakeholders including Small Scale & Artisanal Miners Association in the fight against galamsey, particularly that the legitimate Small Scale Miners have pragmatic ideas as solution to the galamsey menace.

Signed
Koku Mawuli Nanegbe
(Executive Director )
0243388488