By Juliet Aguiar DUGBARTEY
The Western Regional Security Council (RESEC) has called for the immediate fast-tracking of illegal mining prosecutions, warning that delays in the justice system are emboldening offenders and worsening the destruction of key economic assets.
The appeal follows a visit by the REGSEC, led by the Western Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson, and the Director of Operations for the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), Colonel Dominic Buah, to the Ghana Rubber Estate Limited (GREL) plantation, where they observed extensive devastation caused by illegal mining.
A vast stretch of the rubber plantation has come under relentless attack from illegal miners, despite ongoing efforts by the company’s security teams to clamp down on their activities.
From the surface, the plantation appears intact, but beneath the canopy lies a troubling reality: several mining pits have been dug, while large swathes of land have been cleared, with about 10,000 rubber trees felled to make way for illegal gold extraction.
Management of the plantation say the situation is spiralling out of control, as they are forced to dislodge illegal miners on a daily basis. In the first quarter of the year alone, more than 70 incidents of illegal mining have been reported within the plantation.
Perry Acheampong, Head of Corporate Affairs at GREL, expressed concern over the growing scale of the menace.
“The issue of galamsey within the plantation is getting out of hand. Every day, we are dislodging illegal miners. So far, in the first quarter of this year alone, we have reported more than seventy incidents within the plantation.
“It is clear they are felling more trees and expanding their operations, which has become a major problem for us as a company.
“We are grateful that the Regional Security Council, the Regional Minister as well as NAIMOS are here to help address the issue. Last year, they conducted an operation during which many illegal miners were arrested. However, we wish to appeal to Ghana Police Service to fast-track investigations and prosecutions. If those arrested are not prosecuted, they simply return and continue their activities,” he said.
Joseph Nelson, Western Regional Minister, issued a strong warning to residents and individuals engaged in illegal mining within the plantation.
“What we have observed is that these days, illegal miners operate even during the daytime. They have also devised new ways of entering the plantation, enabling them to work at night when surveillance is low.
“As a result, we are considering new strategies to deal with them. To those involved in this activity, as well as residents who may be complicit: desist from entering the plantation for such purposes. Failure to comply will attract serious consequences – a response that will not be favourable to you,” he warned.
Colonel Dominic Buah, Director of Operations at NAIMOS, disclosed that the secretariat plans to deploy personnel to the region are far advanced.
He indicated that within the coming weeks, the secretariat would announce its presence in the area as part of efforts to curb the illegal mining menace.
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