The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources in charge of mining, George Mireku Duker has charged security personnel in the country to arrest all persons in the country manufacturing and importing ‘changfang’ machines.
Goerge Mireku Duker made this call at a stakeholder engagement by the ministry of lands and natural resources with various communities in the Western Region.
He added that the government has not relented in its effort in the fight against Galamsey most especially mining in river bodies and forest reserves.
He said, “The securities agencies should concentrate only on the ‘changfang’ machines on the river bodies because we have to tackle the menace from the source, I mean where these things are been manufactured or being assembled. They are obviously going to put them on the river bodies when it is manufactured and not for any other purpose so why should we allow them to manufacture it in our communities.”
He further cautioned against the use of mercury in mining due to the health dangers associated with it as he called for stiffer punishment for those involved in the use of mercury.
“We should not allow the use of mercury as a country, we should find a way to curtail that and as a ministry, we are discussing that to encourage all stakeholders to ensure the protection of our river bodies.
