Galamsey: Ten Chinese arrested by intelligence officers at Office of the President

Ten Chinese nationals and two Ghanaian accomplices have been arrested by the Counter Intelligent Unit of the Office Of The President Annex, for engaging in illegal mining in parts of the Kwahu enclave.

Several arable land in the Kwahu enclave have been destroyed by the activities of illegal miners.

On Tuesday, July 26, the Counter Intelligent Unit of the Office of the President Annex arrested the 12 for illegal mining.

They impounded seven excavators and weapons.

The Operation Commander for the CIU, Nii Nortey, cautioned illegal miners and warned foreigners must not be indulged into illegal.

“The President Nana Akufo-Addo would not relent on his campaign to fight illegal mining. We want citizens to stop aiding foreign nationals especially Chinese to engage in illegal mining. It’s wrong. The excavators have been impounded.”

The operation by the CIU was in response to address a plea from Kwahu Obomeng Chief, Nana Effah Opinamang.

He wrote to the Presidency to help put a stop to illegal mining on his lands under the Obomeng Traditional Area.

The chief charged the CIU to regularly visit the area to keep off illegal miners.

“Several security units such as Vanguard and the rest have come and gone but the illegal mining still persists. I hope this particular intelligence unit continues its work effectively. Cocoa production in the area has declined. Farmers are lobbied to give out farm lands for illegal mining in exchange for few cedis. It’s disheartening.”

The Kwahu West Municipal Chief Executive, Lawyer Yaw Owusu Addo, commended the Counter Intelligence Unit for the swift action.

“I have been accused of engaging in mining but today I have been vindicated. Mining in itself isn’t illegal. But the way some people go about it, you must get permit, mine, reclaim the land and plant trees. That’s responsible mining.”

The Nkawkaw Divisional Police Commander, Rev. Dr. Adane-Ameyaw, warned miners without proper documentation and those who mine irresponsibly would be dealt with.

“I am warning all those engaging in the illegal mining on land and in the river bodies, we will come after them. They cannot destroy natural resources illegally. They need permits. We will arrest and prosecute whoever is found guilty.”