Gov’t must confiscate all lands being used for galamsey

The Western Regional Minister Dr Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah is advocating that government should confiscate all lands being used for illegal mining popularly known as “Galamsey” in the country.

Speaking exclusively to Skyy News’ Kojo Ennimil Arthur, the minister mentioned the move to end illegal mining in Ghana is becoming difficult by the day and it seems to be a hopeless situation whereas with strict measures and commitment we can win.

He proposes that government must quickly move into confiscating all land being used for galamsey.

He said, “The fight against galamsey is becoming hotter and hotter, one way I think we can fight it is to confiscate all lands being used for the activity.”

“If an owner of the land and chief agrees for a miner to mine on his land, then it means that chief or land owner does not like the surface right of the land, as for the gold, it belongs to the government, so if you allow the miner to steal the gold, then the government must be compensated with the land by confiscating it.”

He added that the move will deter chiefs and owners of the various lands from selling them to galamseyers.

“If a chief believes that the land has not been given to the miner then it becomes his responsibility to report the issue to the police so when any issue comes up then he knows that he himself is clear.”

Source: Patrick Ennimil Arthur