Ghana is set to restrict the importation of excavators into the country, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has said.
Consequently, discussions are ongoing to fashion out the modalities of the restrictions of the importation of the excavators.
According to him, about $6.2 billion worth of excavators were imported into the country annually and most of them were deployed to engage in illegal mining.
Speaking at a news conference in Accra yesterday to update the public on efforts to combat illegal mining in the country, Mr Buah, said the move formed part of measures to combat illegal mining.
He said the unnecessary importation of excavators in the country must stop, stressing that there was the need to determine the number of excavators the country needed annually so same can be imported.
Mr Buah said significant progress had been made in the fight against illegal mining.
The Minister described illegal mining as terrorism and those engaged in it as terrorists, saying their activities were having a negative toll on the environment.
He said the government would not sit idle for a few individuals to destroy the country’s lands, forest reserves, and water bodies.
The Minister said all the powerful people who were behind illegal mining and those profiteering from the menace would be exposed.
He said so far about 100 excavators, three bulldozers, and four vehicles had been seized and in the custody of the military taskforce constituted to combat illegal mining.
“I am seeking the permission of the President to burn the excavators which have been immobilised by some recalcitrant illegal miners so that they cannot be moved from the galamsey sites,” Mr Buah stated.
Mr Buah also said about 76 illegal miners had been arrested and were being prosecuted.
In addition, the Minister said seven of the nine forest reserves which were seized by illegal miners had been reclaimed and efforts were underway to reclaim the remaining two.
The reclaimed reserves, Mr Buah mentioned include Jimira and Jimira extension, Afao hills, Tano Anwia, Ofin Shelterbelt, Anhwiaso East and Anhwiaso South and Subri and efforts were ongoing to reclaim the remaining two reserves, Asenayo and Desiri.
Mr Buah further said out of the 208 forests in the country, 44 had been degraded by illegal mining.
The Minister explained that apart from deploying military personnel to tackle illegal mining, the government was collaborating with the traditional leaders, chiefs and relevant stakeholders to combat the menace.
He said the government had initiated a comprehensive strategy to sanitise the sector and promote sustainable mining practices.
“Recognizing the pivotal roles of traditional leaders, parliamentarians, and advocacy groups, the government has engaged traditional authorities to enforce customary laws and support local enforcement, parliamentarians to amplify advocacy efforts in their constituencies and media, and civil Society organisations to bolster public awareness and policy influence,” Mr Buah stated.
He said the top to down licensing regime was being reversed from down to top approach where mining licenses would be issued at the local level involving all the relevant stakeholders.
BY KINGSLEY ASARE
