The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has appealed to the judiciary to apply firm punitive measures, including custodial sentences, against public officials and politicians who are found guilty of participating in illegal mining activities.
According to him, the fight against galamsey cannot be won by the Executive arm of government alone and requires the active collaboration of the courts to serve as a deterrent to offenders, urging judges to act decisively where evidence clearly establishes wrongdoing.
“We need to elevate and up our game. The Executive and the President alone cannot succeed in fighting galamsey. We need the judiciary to stand side by side in solidarity.
“Should the court find any good evidence on any public official or any politician involved in it, my Lords don’t hesitate to exercise the gavel and punish adequately so that it becomes deterrent for the rest of our society,” he said.
The Minister made the remarks at the Annual Chief Justice Mentoring Programme held at the forecourt of the Supreme Court in Accra. The event was organised under the theme, “Advocating Greener Sustainable Justice: The Environment and Justice.”
The programme brought together students from 11 schools across the Greater Accra and Western Regions, members of the Orange Girls groups from Accra and Kumasi, as well as participants from the United Nations Youth Association.
Addressing the students, the Education Minister stressed the importance of environmental stewardship, warning that the impact of illegal mining was already evident. He emphasised that safeguarding the environment was no longer optional.
Source:Lovinghananews.com
