Dr. Benjamin Otchere-Ankrah, a governance lecturer at Central University has said a terrorist and a galamseyer are the same.
Speaking on Peace FM, Dr. Otchere declared that galamseyers are more dangerous than terrorists, saying, “Illegal mining is more than terrorism because terrorists can kill ten people at a time and if you destroy water bodies and 100 in a particular village dies, you and a terrorist what is the difference?”
He further went on to accuse the Chiefs in Ghana of being accomplished to galamsey, he detailed that most lands in the country belong to the Chiefs and Traditional leaders so why can’t they stop galamsey in their area?
Dr Otchere Ankrah also boldly revealed that all political parties are involved in galamsey. “If an armed robber is caught, we don’t hear of their political affiliation. If an illegal Miner is arrested, why do we bring in politics?”.
He bemoaned why the resources in the forest have been given to just a few people who are destroying our water and the forest.
The lecturer suggested power be given to the Police District Commanders for two weeks to tackle illegal mining in their area and if they fail, they face serious sanctions.
Meanwhile, in a press statement dated yesterday, October 9, 2024, the President directed the Minister for Defense to deploy additional military forces to intensify the ongoing “Operation Halt”, which aims to curb illegal mining activities.
Watch the video below:
