Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo has told Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) that he is not in the position to protect anybody found culpable in the act of illegal mining.
According to him, there has being allegations of some MMDCEs involvement in illegal mining (galamsey), which he said is putting the reputation of the government into disrepute and cautioned those allegedly involved in the act to desist from it.
Speaking to all the MMDCEs across the country in Kumasi, to seek their assistance in the fight against the illegal mining menace, he said the party and by extension government is committed to ensure that illegal mining is stopped.
He stressed that any MMDCE found to be engaged in the act would be sanctioned appropriately without favour, after he or she has been given the opportunity to be heard.
The President stated that, the MMDCEs are aware of what is happening in the mining areas across the length and breadth of the country and urged them to work together to actively reverse the menace.
He said the constant allegation of MMDCEs being the conveyers of illegal mining is not the best and challenged them to clear their names and government’s reputation.
Nana Akufo-Addo disclosed that several means have been championed by government, including new legal régime and community mining, saying there would be severe punishment for anyone, irrespective of one’s status.
He stressed that the MMDCEs are his representatives in the various Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) and for that matter cannot be engaged in illegal mining (galamsey).
He urged the MMDCEs that together they can help contain the galamsey menace, especially in the Western region, where the electorate turned their back on the party because of his determination to fight the canker.
Mr. Dan Kwaku Botwe, the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development stated that, reports from the various MMDAs reveal that the Ashanti region is leading in illegal mining activities with 23 districts.
He disclosed that, the ministry is having the number of districts in the region where mining activities are going on.
According to the Minister, there are 13 districts in the Eastern Region, two in Savannah region, Upper West (6), North East region (2,) Upper East (8), Central region (6), Western North (8), Western Region (15), Ahafo region (4), Bono region four (4) and Ashanti region (23).
He challenged the MMDCEs to collaborate with the various Metropolitan, Municipal Security and District Security Councils to fight the menace in their various jurisdictions.
