General Secretary of the Small Scale Miners Association, Godwin Armah, has welcomed the directive by the Minister of Lands and Natural resources Samuel Abu Jinapor for mining in forest reserves to cease.
He however raised concerns about what he described as political protection given to individuals who are involved in illegal mining in forest reserves.
He said the onus now lies on the Ministry to ensure that persons involved in mining are dealt with, while the 16 excavators ceased in the Western region are properly accounted for.
Meanwhile, the directive by the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources Samuel Abu Jinapor that all persons or companies engaged in reconnaissance or prospecting in Forest-Reserves, with or without authorization, be suspended has sparked a debate on whether measures put in place by government to stop illegal mining is on track or not.
GBC NEWS hit the street of Accra to seek the views of the public on the issue. Some noted that the war against illegal mining also known as galamsey is still not won. While others called for a holistic approach to end the menace.
