REGSEC investigating Amansie galamsey claims – Minister

Ashanti Regional Security Council (REGSEC) has commenced investigations into  illegal mining activities that led to the destruction of large swathes of cocoa farms in the Amansie central district, Deputy Ashanti Regional Minister, Andy Osei Okrah has said.

According to him, the council must perform a thorough fact-checking to gather information before any sanction will be meted out to the illegal miners.

This follows  cries by some residents of Bepotenten and Gyamang in the Amansie central district that activities of illegal miners led by a Chinese woman, one Madam Asia Huang, have forced them to abandon their farming activities.

The residents say the relocation is to prevent them from falling into the open gullies dug by the illegal miners according to reports in the Daily Graphic.

Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show, Mr. Osei Okrah asserted that “an investigation needs to be carried out and we need to do that and that is what is being done” and he assured that REGSEC will be investigating the allegations of illegal mining and the confiscation of mining equipment.

“Whether the one we are saying has a document to cover it, I don't know myself so we need to establish whether what they are doing is illegal,” he explained

“We cannot give out entirely what we are going to do in the public but our attention has been drawn to this situation happening especially in Amensie west and we are taking action,” Mr. Okrah added. Allegations against REGSECSome residents alleged that the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) ordered the release of some excavators and a Toyota pickup confiscated by people of the communities and the regional security liaison officer.A copy of the letter directing the release of the excavators, which was seen by the Daily Graphic, was dated August 16, 2016.

The letter, which was signed by the Regional Co-ordinating Director, Mr Kofi Dwumor-Asubonteng, stated that “I have instructions from the Ashanti REGSEC to order the release of four excavators and one Toyota pickup seized and being kept at Finaso barrier in the Obuasi Municipality to the owner, Madam Asia Huang.”

The equipment of the Chinese were seized while the miners were illegally mining close to River Offin, near Manso Tanokrom.

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana