Former SA High Commissioner calls for ‘shooting to kill’ as the best solution to end galamsey
- Ghana’s former High Commissioner to South Africa wants illegal miners to be shot and killed
- He said that’s the surest way of fighting the menace
- The former Commissioner was speaking on Okay FM
Our manifesto: This is what YEN.com.gh believes in
Ghana’s former High Commissioner to South Africa has proposed what he says is the surest way of ending illegal mining (galamsey) in the country.
According to HE George Ayisi Boateng, the only way to win the fight is by shooting to kill those found on illegal mining sites.
Source: UGC
“…They should…shoot to kill the recalcitrant ones who have defied the government’s order and constantly engaging in illegal mining,” the former High Commissioner stated on Okay FM's 'Ade Akye Abia' programme, monitored by YEN.com.gh.
He added: “These illegal miners who think they need money more than our fathers who used their blood to protect these natural resources are using all foul means to destroy the land and water bodies.”
Burning of excavators
Meanwhile, Operation Halt II destroyed several excavators along the Ankobra, Bonusu, and Bonsa Rivers in the Western Region, YEN.com.gh has gathered.
Made of three units of the Ghana Armed Forces—the 2nd and 5th Infantry Battalions and the 64th Infantry Regiment, Operation Halt II began its Western Region operation on Thursday, May 27, 2021.
The team is being supported by personnel drawn from the Ghana navy, air force, Southern Command, 48th Engineers’ Regiment, and the Support Service.
According to a report sighted on Asaaseradio.com, the team destroyed two washing machines and floating platforms on the Bonusu River and 18 excavators along the Rivers Ankobra and Bonsa.
“Ten changfans and two water pumping machines sited along the Bonsa River were also destroyed,” the outlet reported citing a source close to the operation.
“The Operation Halt II team, led by Lieutenant Colonel Prince Tandoh, located and destroyed one excavator, 100 changfan machines, 20 water pumping machines, four motorbikes, and other illegal mining equipment on a site close to the Ankobra River,” the source added.
Akufo-Addo back the burning
Operation Halt II’s latest invasion of illegal mining sites in the Western Region comes a day after President Akufo-Addo endorsed the burning of excavators and other equipment confiscated at these mining sites.
“The presence of ‘changfans’ in water bodies is illegal, as is the unlawful use of excavators in protected forest zones,” President Akufo-Addo said on Wednesday, May 26, 2021, during the sod-cutting ceremony for the construction of the first phase of the “Law Village”.
“The devastation caused by this equipment is nothing short of evil and we should not compromise in our efforts to protect our environment, forest reserves, and water bodies.”
Enjoy reading our stories? Join YEN.com.gh's Telegram channel! Never miss important updates Download YEN's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major Ghana news.
Source: YEN.com.gh
