Okyehene pledges support for burning of excavators used for galamsey

Okyehene Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin has endorsed government’s decision to burn seized excavators used by illegal miners.

He described their activities as criminal, saying such equipment must be destroyed without hesitation.

Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin made the point when the Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Samuel Abu Jinapor called on him as part of his tour of the Eastern Region.

Meanwhile, the Ghana National Small Scale Miners Association says it disagrees with the call by the Okyehene for a one-year suspension of all mining activities, so as to streamline legalization and also purge water bodies.

The Association equally disagrees with comments made by President Akufo-Addo in support of the burning of excavators used for galamsey.

Public Relations Officer of the Association, Benjamin Annang, is of the view that the proposal by Okyehene Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin will not work because most of the people engaged in galamsey are politicians.

Commenting on President Akufo-Addo’s speech in support of the burning of excavators used for illegal mining, Mr. Annang described the President’s stance as unfortunate.