Galamsey is still illegal; President cautions as he tours E/R
President John Evans Atta Mills has reiterated his concern on the issue of illegal mining, stating it is illegal no matter the circumstance of offenders involved and has solicited the help of traditional authorities in bringing culprits to book.
The President expressed these concerns at the Eastern regional capital Koforidua as he commenced a 3-day official tour of the region. He said the resultant effects of the “galamsay" trade is destroying most water bodies across the country.
President Mills also spoke on the illegal felling of trees which he said is contributing hugely to environmental degradation. He then appealed to all and sundry to help put an end to it.
Earlier, President Mills expressed gratitude to the Chiefs and people of the Eastern region for the support shown towards his government and noted that it was for the purposes of National Development that he was embarking on the regional tour.
“Nananom, to underscore the importance of this visit, I have come with a whole group of ministers. One would even think that we are going to have a cabinet meeting here; if it becomes necessary, we would have a cabinet meeting here," the President said.
He said the visit is to enable his government to see what their regional departments are doing and to inform themselves so that when they return to Accra, they will be able to address such issues.
Story by Kwadwo Asare-Baffour Acheampong/Asempa FM/Ghana