Tongo (U/E), GNA – The Paramount Chief of the
Talensi Traditional Area, Tong Rana Kugbilsong Nanlebegtang has said the
destruction of the environment due to activities of illegal mining outweighs
the yield of gold generated in the country.
The Talensi district in the Upper East Region
is one of the districts in the country noted for the activities of illegal
mining popularly known as galamsey.
The Tong Rana who expressed his displeasure
said he was not comfortable with the impact of activities of illegal mining in
the area.
The overload of the Talensi traditional area
said this when the Governing Board Members of the Minerals Commission paid a
working visit to him at his palace at Tongo in the Talensi District.
The governing Board members came to the Upper
East Region on a two-day working visit to familiarise with the activities on
mining in the region. Gold mining activities in the region have been increasing
in scope and scale with Gbane community in the Talensi district hosting the
main centre of activities.
“The destruction of the environment as
compared to the gold that we get cannot be the same because the destruction
surpasses whatever measures we may put in place to reclaim damaged environment
for ourselves and for the future” he said.
The chief who has taken a stand against the
menace added that, aside the destruction of the environment, monies generated
from the activities of illegal mining, finds its way into individual’s pockets.
“More of the gold is underground rather than
surface and therefore, if the country wants to prevent any destruction of its
geological cover, the best thing is to go for deep-shaft mining and control it
properly”, the Tong Rana noted.
The Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Rockson
Ayine Bukari who welcomed the Board members led by its Chairman, Mr Sampson
Kwaku Boafo, and the Chief Executive Officer of Minerals Commission, Mr Addae
Antwi Boasiako in his office, entreated them to streamline measures geared towards
blocking unapproved channels that paves way for Ghana’s natural resources to be
taken out of the country.
The Minister, who emphasised the need to
safeguard gold accrued in Ghana in order to boost the country’s economy,
commended the Board members for the new strategic direction they have brought
to strengthen mineral regulation in the country.
Mr Bukari entreated the Board members to
ensure that mining companies met their obligations to government.
Governing Board Chairman of the Minerals
Commission, Sampson Kwaku Boafo, said in spite of royalties paid by mining
companies to government, it was an obligation for the companies to employ the
locals in their operations.
The CEO of the Commission, Mr Addae admonished
managers of Cardinal Resources Limited and Shaanxi Mining Ghana Limited; both
small scale mining companies operating in the region to ensure the safety of
their workers are protected.
Members of the board included Mr Joseph Quarm,
Mrs Judy Crayem, Madam Esther Dey, Madam Lydia Alhassan, Mr James Ataki and Mr
Martin Ayisi.
GNA