Burning of excavators: Kwaku Baako Jnr calls for amendment of mining law

The Managing Editor of the New Crusading Guide Newspaper, Abdul Malik Kweku Baako Jnr has advised the government to amend the mining law to empower it to among others burn excavators used in illegal mining.

“So I advise the President and his government also go to Parliament with a bill to amend. Even though to be honest with you I don’t believe in the burning”.

In its attempts to flush out illegal miners from Ghana’s water bodies and forest reserves, the government has decided that all equipment to be seized under the new effort to end galamsey will be destroyed on-site.

Already, military personnel under the command of their superiors have destroyed a number of excavators, changfans (washing machines), and other equipment.

A number of individuals, groups, and institutions have criticised the latest initiative by the government to deter people from illegal mining.

But President Akufo- Addo on Wednesday reaffirmed his determination to root out illegal mining and stated that the burning of equipment used for the pollution of water bodies and forest reserves will not cease till the criminal acts are halted.

Speaking on Joy FM’s News File on Saturday, (May 29, 2021), Mr. Baako said he is not against the fight against galamsey but the right procedures must be followed when dealing with the issues.

“I have augured that if based on experiences we have come to the conclusion that all these laws, the regulations are ineffective and then, one best way of doing some of these things to create disincentive or a deterrent is to burn, where do we go? he questioned.

He emphasized that the existing laws are adequate to fight against the menace.

I don’t believe in the burning because the utility value of that equipment could actually be capitalised on by the State”

He added that any excuses defending the burning of excavators were an “expression of institutional impotence.”.