Berekum west: The Bono Regional Minister, Joseph Addae Akwaboa, has issued a directive for the arrest of anyone using government officials' names to facilitate illegal mining activities, known locally as galamsey. Addressing chiefs and residents during an accounting-to-the-people tour in the Berekum West District, Akwaboa emphasized the government's intensified efforts to combat galamsey and warned that violators will face consequences.
According to Ghana Web, Akwaboa urged community members to stay alert and report individuals who claim to have his or other officials' authorization for illegal mining. He stressed that illegal mining poses significant threats to the environment, water bodies, and farmlands, necessitating decisive action. Security agencies have been instructed to dismantle illegal mining operations to safeguard natural resources for future generations.
Akwaboa further cautioned residents against being deceived by individuals falsely using his or other officials' names to engage in galamsey. In addition, he addressed issues of non-performance by contractors, asserting that those who receive payment for government projects but fail to deliver will face legal repercussions. He referenced the case of Kofi Akpaloo, who allegedly did not complete a contracted five-kilometre road project in Berekum West despite receiving payment. The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) is investigating the issue, and legal action is anticipated.