Gov't dismisses claims that 'anti galamsey taskforce' is targeted at Chinese nationals

Government has dismissed claims by the Chinese government that the ongoing clampdown on illegal mining is deliberately targeted at Chinese nationals.

According to government, the inter-ministerial taskforce is dealing fairly with all nationals in that illegal business, popularly called 'galamsey'.

The five-member inter-ministerial taskforce has been mandated to fight against illegal small scale mining (galamsey) throughout the mining areas of the country.

The taskforce has been instructed to seize all the equipment the illegal miners use, arrest and prosecute perpetrators whether they be both Ghanaians and non-Ghanaians.

The committee also has the mandate to deport all foreigners engaged in the practice and revoke the licenses of Ghanaians who have sub-leased their concessions to non-Ghanaians.

The Chinese government on Tuesday asked its Ghanaian counterpart to deal leniently with Chinese nationals arrested in Ghana for engaging in illegal small scale mining.

A Chinese delegation led by the Ambassador to Ghana Gong Jianzhong said, although the government must enforce its laws on mining, the enforcement must be done with a human face especially when dealing with Chinese nationals.

The delegation told a news conference in Accra, they had reports of targeted attacks on Chinese illegal miners.

But addressing journalists at the Flagstaff House on Wednesday, Felix Ofosu Kwakye, Deputy Minister for Information and Media Relations denied the claim that the Chinese are being targeted.

Mr. Ofosu Kwakye also denied reports that the development has adversely affected relations between the two countries.

He said, government has no problem with the Chinese government and urged the media to accurately report on activities of the taskforce.