The Minority in Parliament has called for an impartial probe into inhumane treatment meted out to some 30 suspected illegal miners at the premises of Anglo-Gold Ashanti.
The caucus has demanded that military personnel involved in the heinous act be made to face the law.
“…The Minority, therefore, wish to call for an impartial and credible investigation into this act and the culprits made to face the full sanctions of the law”, Mr John Jinapor, Ranking Member on Mines and Energy Committee said at a press conference in parliament.
Mr Jinapor was reacting to a video on social media, showing some military personnel maltreating the suspected illegal miners.
In the video, the group were captured lying in muddy water, as the military personnel were seen brandishing their weapons.
Reports indicate that the group threw caution to the wind by sneaking into the premises of the gold mining company and entered the underground pit to undertake some mining activities.
Unfortunately for them, they were caught by the security personal on duty and were subjected to the maltreatment which the minority described as abuse of their human rights.
Speaking to the press yesterday, the Ranking Member on Mines and Energy Committee noted that the caucus is not in support of illegal mining activities but it is equally not in support of the maltreatment that was meted out to the people who were caught in the act.
“Though the minority vehemently condemns all forms of illegal mining activities and encroaching, we are equally opposed to the use of brute, excessive and disproportionate force in the fight against illegal mining,” Mr Jinapor said.
The Yapei Kusawgu legislator continued that the Minority has taken note of how the laws are made to favour foreigners who commit same acts. He recalled how a Chinese illegal miner, known as Aisha Huang, who earned the nickname ‘Chinese Galamsey Queen’ was left off the hook, even after her misdeeds in the illegal mining space became public.
“Whilst the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia led government remain mute on this dastardly and heinous act continuously being meted to the ordinary Ghanaian by some members of the military, foreigners on the hand are always treated with kids’ gloves and in some instances the law compromised to favor them in the name of building international monetary relations.
“You will recall the infamous incident involving a Chinese Galamsey Queen, known as Aisha Huang, following her arrest for her involvement in illegal mining, the state unilaterally discontinued the case in court on a flimsy excuse that they stood to secure economic gains for her release. Whiles her prosecution should have been used as a deterrent to others, it was treated with kids’ gloves as usual”, Mr Jinapor said.
Mr Jinapor said that this show of unconcern by the Akufo Addo led government must be brought to an en,d hence their call for the officers involved to be dealt with.
“This is the only way to show that the impunity and favoritism that has characterised this government is at least being dealt with”, Mr Jinapor said.
He noted that the Minority will remain vigilant and committed towards ensuring that the rights of every Ghanaian is protected under the constitution.
