Netherlands Ambassador to Ghana, Jeroen Verheul, has expressed his disappointment in the slow progress made in the fight against illegal mining in the country.
Ambassador Verheul emphasized that organizations opposing illegal mining are finding it extremely challenging to enforce their efforts due to various obstacles.
Mr. Verheul noted that although gold production has increased significantly, this growth is occurring in the informal sector rather than the formal sector.
He also expressed his disappointment in the fact that Ghanaians are glorifying illegal mining by giving it some sort of exotic image.
“I would be lying if I would say that there were many inroads in the fight against illegal mining, and I deliberately don’t use the word galamsey because I think it gives it a sort of an exotic image as if it is something cultural, something African whereas we should name a spade a spade.
“And what is happening is that it is a small-scale illegal mining and what you see is that production of Gold in Ghana has increased substantially not in the formal sector but mainly in the informal sector.” He said
Jeroen Verheul continued, “so I would say that if you look at those factors, there is not a lot of success in the combating illegal mining and if I speak to organizations that are forcefully opposing illegal mining, they tell me that it is very very difficult to get enforcement and for examples in areas where illegal mining is taking place and even so if the police acts and they arrest somebody, that person is often out of prison very soon.
“That is very interesting, so is that, why is Ghana not able tackle illegal mining.”
Illegal mining has long been a significant concern in Ghana, with devastating environmental and social consequences. Despite numerous efforts by both government agencies and non-governmental organizations, the problem persists, posing a threat to the country’s natural resources and ecosystems.
Mr Verheul disclosed his observation during an exclusive interview on JoyNews’ AM Show with Benjamin Akakpo on Thursday which was keenly monitored by Elvisanokyenews.com.
Source: Elvisanokyenews.com
