Director of Operations for the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), Colonel Dominic Buah has strongly cautioned financiers of illegal mining and illegal miners to desist from the act.
Speaking at the Jubilee at the President’s meeting with Civil Society Organisations on galamsey, Friday, October, 3, Colonel Buah assured Ghanaians that NAIMOS will deal “ruthlessly” with galamseyers and their assigns.
He noted that his outfit will do everything within its mandate to apprehend financiers of illegal mining or galamsey.
“I would like to send this warning to illegal miners, their assigns and financiers that they are the first and prime enemies of the state and they will be dealt with as such.
“There will be no room for them to escape or hide, NAIMOS will smoke them out very soon. There’s no resting place for them and be assured that very soon our waters will turn blue and our forests will turn green,” he cautioned.
“All illegal miners and financiers, beware, NAIMOS is closer to your bases and there will be no hiding place for you,” he added.
Colonel Dominic Buah disclosed that over 400 troops have been deployed to fight illegal mining in the country.
“We will be ruthless with them because they are environmental terrorists. We have only one Ghana and we have to be protective about it,” he stated.
On his part, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah said the government has made progress with the fight against the illegal small-scale mining (Galamsey).
He expressed the view that President John Dramani Mahama has shown leadership in the fight against illegal mining.
“We have made progress, and we are on the right path. What gives me confidence is the political will and the leadership that President Mahama is providing,” Speaking during President John Dramani Mahama’s engagement with Civil Society Organisations on galamsey in Accra on Friday, October 3.
For his part, the Attorney-General said that the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi), has been asked to report to Accra on Monday, October 6 for his charges to be read to him following the alleged involvement of his Akonta Mining firm in illegal small-scale mining.
The Attorney-General, who made this announcement, indicated that failure to report to Accra on Monday will lead to his arrest.
Dr Ayine said, “the charges against Wontumi, Akonta Mining have been signed. He should be here on Monday. If he doesn’t come by Monday, I will order his arrest, and his charges will be read to him.”
It is recalled that Director-General of the Criminal Investigative Department (CID), DCOP Lydia Yaako Donkor, announced that investigations into the operations of Akonta Mining, owned by Chairman Wontumi), were ongoing.
The CID boss said one other person had also been arrested in relation to the matter.
