I am Not Losing Fight Against Galamsey - Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai MCE Declares

Municipal Chief Executive for Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai Municipal Assembly in the Western North Region, Mr Alfred Amoah has denied rumours peddling by critics to the effect that his outfit was losing steam following its initial efforts to combat illegal small scale mining activities in the area.

The MCE rubbished over the allegations and stated that his outfit is resolute in the renewed fight against illegal miners saying he has ordered them to leave their sites hence they be arrested and prosecuted.

"Although our farmers are still complaining of the illegal activities of some unscrupulous miners in the area, l can assure you that our security task force is monitoring the illegal activities of those recalculate miners and whoever found culpable will not be spared," the MCE assured.

He maintained that he and his security task force remained as committed as ever to ensuring the exploitation of the country’s mineral resources doesn’t result in the destruction of the country’s land.

Mr Amoah pointed out through his instrumentality, they were able to impound one mining machine which was handed over to the police a couple of weeks ago.

"We are not relaxing in the continuous efforts in the fighting against illegal small scale mining activities in the area. So it is not true that these illegal small scale miners have overpowered the Assembly and security personnel thereby going back to their mining sites to continue to engage in their illegal mining activities," the MCE said and reiterated his outfit's commitment to the fight against illegal mining activities in the area.

"We have stepped up the campaign by initiating some proactive measures to deal with the menace. We are seriously monitoring the movement of the illegal small scale miners and l can assure that our security personnel are on the grounds touring the galamsey sites to ensure compliance with the Assembly directive.

“I am appealing to the chiefs, youth, media and opinion leaders in the area to lend their support to the fight against galamsey. I’m hoping that the programme to restore the degraded lands will attract the same enthusiasm. For my part, I will not relent in the struggle nor will my security personnel which is spearheading the government’s efforts in this fight,” the MCE told DAILY Analyst in an interview via telephone call on Monday, June 28, 2021.

Mincing no words, the MCE directed all persons involved in the activities of illegal small scale mining should leave restricted water bodies and forest range reserves else they would face his wrath.

"I want to stress that all the small scale miners in thBibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai municipality should put their tools down and adhere to government's directives because we are working hard upon the directives of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to ensure that all the illegal small scale miners were flush out from various mining sites," the MCE warned.
 
He added that they are informed that some of the small scale miners are still working at the site, so now their focus is on the municipal and when they get any information they will call the military.

He also urged all the residents in the municipality to inform the security to assist in the arrest of illegal miners.

He pointed out that although he intensified education on the adverse effects of illegal and irresponsible small scale mining activities on the water bodies, forest range reserves and environment at large in the area, the recalcitrant miners still remained doing their illegal activities in their sites.

 Freeman Koryekpor Awlesu