Govt intervention needed in fight against galamsey - Official

Obuasi, March 12, GNA - Mr Justice Sarpong, Human Resources Manager of AngloGold Ashanti, Obuasi, has called for government intervention in the fight against the illegal mining activities, known as 'galamsey' in the company's concession. He made the call on Friday when a team of management staff led newsmen to visit a worker who was on admission at the company's hospital, following a cutlass wounds he received on his right thumb during an encounter with two illegal miners at the Sanso section of the Obuasi mine on Thursday. Mr Redeemer Quaye-Mensah, 50, a security officer of the company is responding to treatment.

Mr Sarpong said fighting galamsey activities at Obuasi has become a national responsibility rather than the company's problem since the illegal miners go on their operations fully armed. "Their activities are like armed robbery, which needs serious government intervention", he said.

Colonel Steve Oduro-Kwarteng (rtd), head of the Special Services Division (SSD) of the mine, said management was aware of the problems confronting the Division in the fight against the illegal miners and that it had adopted a line of action to address the problems. He said the illegal miners were operating with weapons such as guns and locally made pistols. Col Oduro-Kwarteng said currently, the SSD had adopted the concept of dialogue whenever the security personnel came across the illegal miners on their concession. "We do not advise any confrontation", he added.