MINISTER DEFENDS OPERATION AGAINST ILLEGAL MINERS (SPREAD, NOV 18, 2010)

THE Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, has defended the military/police crackdown on illegal gold miners at Kyebi, stating that such operations will continue until the miners are totally flushed out.
He said if that was not done, the activities of the illegal gold miners, most of whom operated along the Birim river, would lead to the total destruction of the river, the main source of water for numerous farming communities.
Mr Ofosu Ampofo also said the crack-down was to prevent the situation of Ghana becoming a failed state or lawless society since the “galamsey” operators who were always armed often fought among themselves, making their operational grounds a no-go area.
Mr Ampofo, therefore, called for support from traditional rulers in the area.
The regional minister made these remarks at a press conference to throw light on the military/police crackdown on “galamsey” operators at Kyebi and its environs on November 8, 2010.
It was attended by top security personnel including Lt Col. Barima Owusu, the Commanding Officer of the First Infantry Brigade, Michel Camp, Tema and the Eastern Regional Police Commander, DCOP Ransford Ninson, who led the military/police operation.
Also present were top officials of the Ghana Water Company Limited and the Ghana Health Service who gave detailed accounts on the negative effects of the activities of the “galamsey” operators on the environment and the health of the people.
The minister said although the military and the police had over the past year carried out a number of swoops not only in the Kyebi area but in other parts of Akyem Abuakwa where a number of the illegal miners were arrested and their equipment seized, it was difficult in getting their prosecutions expedited.
He said what was also worrying was that fines imposed by the courts on the illegal miners were not punitive enough to deter them from re-engaging in the illegal activities and gave the assurance that the swoops would be carried out when and where necessary to totally flush them from the area.
Mr Ofosu Ampofo deplored some reports in the media with specific reference to private radio stations and newspapers portraying the military as being heavy-handed during the swoop as well as wrongfully associating some politicians to the problem.
“As media personnel, it is your responsibility to come out with the actual truth, pointing out the dangers of illegal gold mining instead of wrongfully accusing the military of brutalities because if the military withdraws, it is the people in the area who will suffer,” he stated.