GALAMSEY OPERATORS AT KYEBI TO BE FLUSHED OUT (PAGE 22, OCT 1, 2010)

THE Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, has stated that his outfit has taken the necessary steps to flush out illegal gold miners “galamsey” operators in the region, especially within the Kyebi area.
The “galamsey” operators had extended their activities to the Kyebi town where even parts of the compound of the Abuakwa State College and the School For the Deaf had been destroyed.
The illegal mining activities had created deep pits covered with muddy water which has created a death trap for students.
Such a dangerous situation compelled Mr Ofosu Ampofo to call in the police and the military personnel at the weekend to flush out the “galamsey” operators during which mining equipment such as excavators and water pumps were confiscated.
The East Akyem Municipal Director of Education, Mrs Kate Agyeman Badu, and the Headmaster of Abuakwa State College, Mr Nicholas Anim Adjei led the staff of the college to express their appreciation to the regional minister for his rapid response to the needs of the school when fire recently gutted the boys’ dormitory.
He said although his outfit would not prevent anybody from earning a living, it was necessary to curb the activities of the illegal miners since they had not only destroyed land and polluted water bodies such as the Birim River, but had also created deep pits which had become death traps.
According to Mr Ofosu Ampofo, the “galamsey” operators should rather acquire the necessary documents for their operations to be regulated to serve the needs of the people.
“We are not against anybody earning a living but the proper thing must be done so that we do not destroy the environment, pollute water bodies and create death traps just because of money,” Mr Ofosu Ampofo stated.
He also said the security would be called in periodically to flush out the illegal miners, warning that anybody apprehended would face the full rigours of the law.
Both Mrs Agyeman Badu and Mr Anim Adjei were grateful to Mr Ofosu Ampofo for his timely intervention which had made it possible for the two schools to continue to function properly.