Lawyer-Common (A-G), Godfred Yeboah Dame, has revealed that over 850 people are going through prosecution for unlawful mining (galamsey).
On the Ghana Bar Affiliation’s annual basic convention, Mr Yeboah Dame revealed that 140 circumstances of unlawful mining are being investigated throughout 5 areas (Western, Japanese, Ashanti, Larger-Accra and Higher East).
He highlighted the challenges confronted by prosecutors in court docket however famous that progress had been made, with 76 convictions secured since August 2021.
The Lawyer-Common additional assured that the federal government is dedicated to tackling the galamsey menace, with stiff penalties imposed on convicts, together with minimal sentences of 15 years and hefty fines for non-Ghanaians.
Mr Dame cited the case of the infamous Chinese language galamsey queen, Aisha Huang, who was discovered responsible of mining-related offences.
He expressed confidence that the judiciary will proceed to play an important function in combating unlawful mining.
The A-G emphasised that some circumstances are nearing a conclusion and that the federal government is working to handle the problem.
His assurance is coming at a time when there’s a basic name to ban small-scale mining due to its devastating affect on water our bodies.
Unlawful mining, popularly known as galamsey, has been a significant subject in Ghana, with latest experiences by the media indicating that the observe has led to the destruction of a number of rivers, together with River Ankobra, River Bia, River Pra, and River Tano.
The federal government has taken a number of steps to eradicate unlawful mining, however the issue persists because of the excessive demand for gold and different treasured minerals.
In March 2023, the Lands Ministry revealed that the Minerals Fee is to put in monitoring gadgets on 4,000 excavators and earthmoving tools as a part of measures to clamp down on galamsey.
Additionally, about 300 river wardens accomplished a 4-week intensive pre-deployment coaching course on the Japanese Naval Command in Tema on Tuesday, October 25, 2022, to arrange them to supply safety to the nation’s numerous river our bodies.
Over 20 Chinese language Nationals are at present going through prosecution within the numerous courts within the nation.
In October 2022, President Nana Akufo-Addo reiterated his resolve to struggle the canker, however nonetheless the problem persists.