The Majority Leader in Parliament, Mahama Ayariga, has stated that government officials found engaging in illegal mining activities will be arrested, underscoring the government’s commitment to tackling the environmental crisis.
The statement comes after the Minority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, called for a weekly briefing by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources on the increasing destruction of forest reserves and water bodies.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament, Mahama Ayariga said President John Dramani Mahama will allow the law to take its course against any appointee found culpable in illegal mining, unlike former President Akufo-Addo, who, he said, “did not take any action against government officials and party kingpins who were implicated in galamsey operations.”
He added: “Today, any government official found to be aiding and abetting will be arrested. Any party official, no matter how high, whether you are at the national level or you are at the regional level, if you are caught, the president will not say anything. He will allow the due process of the law to deal with you.”
“Unlike in the past, when certain regional chairmen were known to be openly involved in galamsey and even the minister wrote a report and nothing happened about the report” he said.
Military, Lands Ministry visit family of NAIMOS officer killed in crash
