Accra: The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey, has urged the arrest of the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of Tano North. This call to action follows allegations of unlawful issuance of a prospecting permit, a role designated exclusively to the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources according to Ghana's mining laws.
According to Ghana Web, Dr. Ashigbey revealed during an interview on JoyNews that he had come across a document appearing to be a permit issued by the Tano North MCE. He underscored that the authority to grant such licences resides solely with the minister. Dr. Ashigbey shared his concerns, stating, "I've just shared a permit I think from the Tano North MCE. You know who is supposed to sign a prospecting licence? - it's the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources."
Dr. Ashigbey was emphatic that the MCE should face arrest for this overreach, pointing out the potential risks to Ghana's regulatory efforts in the mining sector. He warned that unauthorized actions like these could hamper initiatives to curb illegal mining practices, commonly known as 'galamsey'.
In his remarks, Dr. Ashigbey emphasized the importance of adhering strictly to the Minerals and Mining Act and its regulations to safeguard the sector's integrity and preserve public trust. This incident highlights a broader industry call for accountability and legal compliance, with demands that those involved in the issuance of illegal mining licences be held accountable under Ghanaian law.