The Minister for
Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel A. Jinapor says government has taken
drastic, decisive and pre-emptive steps to protect the Black Volta from the
destructive activities of illegal miners.
According to the
Minister, following recent media reports of illegal mining activities on the
Black Volta, the government through the collaborative efforts of the Minerals
Commission, the Savannah Regional Coordinating Council and the Ghana Armed
Forces embarked on an intelligence-gathering operation to ascertain the
situation on the ground.
Mr. Jinapor who
was speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the presentation of the
intelligence report on Friday, 21 July 2023, stated that a number of operations
have already taken place by the Military to stop the illegal miners and protect
the river body from further destruction.
Providing
details of the said operations, the Minister disclosed that 20 changfans which
were operating on the Black Volta have been confiscated and destroyed.
He stated that
resources and personnel will be committed to ensuring the Black Volta returns
to its naturally healthy state sooner than later.
Describing the
emergence of illegal mining activities as ‘scandalous and unfortunate’, Hon.
Samuel A. Jinapor vowed that Government through the Ministry and allied
institutions will activate the necessary and legal measures to protect the
Black Volta and other water bodies from illegal mining activities.
“The need for us
to protect the Black Volta is absolutely important, and I’m happy to report
that following the reports the Ministry received, we are working closely with
the Minerals Commission, the Savannah Regional Coordinating Council and the 6th
Battalion of Infantry, 6Bn) in collaboration with the Military command of the
Savannah Region were able to carry out an intelligence-gathering operation to
ascertain the true facts on the ground”, he indicated.
“As I speak to
you now, series of operations have been undertaken and the reports I’ve
received is that 20 changfans have been destroyed and there is a
well-thought-through plan to eradicate illegal mining on the river and other
parts of the country”, he stressed.
The Lands
Minister disclosed that government will not relent in its effort to eradicate
illegal mining activities and ensure that the exploitation of the country’s
natural resources is done in accordance with the laws of the country and
international standards.
He explained
that the government’s illegal mining battle is modelled on two pillars which
are enforcement and reformation.
Mr Jinapor vowed
that the government will continue to pursue the two pillars and will not renege
in its effort to create a sustainable mining sector through responsible and
environment-friendly mining practices.
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