Don't arrest our people – Chinese delegation beg govt

Some Chinese nationals working on a small scale mine

A 9-member delegation from China's Gonchi province where majority of the illegal miners are believed to have hailed from are appealing to the Government of Ghana not to arrest their compatriots engaging in small scale mining.

The delegation put forth the proposal when they met Ghana's Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Alhaji Inusah Fuseini in Accra, Monday to try and find a lasting solution to the influx of Chinese nationals engaged in illegal mining in Ghana.

The Minister after the closed door meeting told Joy News' Paa Kwesi Asare the meeting did not yield any positive conclusion.

“I don't think one can say there was any conclusive outcome because what they were looking for precisely we couldn't give…they wanted us not to arrest the Chinese; and wanted us to recognize what the Chinese are doing as business and those things definitely we will not agree to that.”

According to the Minister, the delegation did not appreciate the extent of damage the Chinese nationals were causing in the country and the criminal consequences of their activities.

But Inusah Fuseini said the government was unwavering and kept hammer homing to them that it was criminal for foreigners to engage in small scale mining.

He reiterated President Mahama's decision to set up a taskforce to bring under control illegal mining in the country, adding, “we are determined to flush out illegal miners from all the mining sites in Ghana”.

Nevertheless, he said the delegation “kept repeating to us” that these Chinese are only “victims”, whom they said, came to Ghana to make a living.

“We however indicated to them that Ghana has no responsibility in providing employment for the Chinese.”

They also drew the government's attention to what they claimed was the contribution of Chinese small scale miners to Ghana's economy.

According to the Minister, it was insisted at the meeting that small scale mining is an exclusive preserve for Ghanaians because they don't pay taxes and royalties.

The delegation were however asked to communicate to their compatriots working on small scale mines to clear their equipment before the government descends on them.