Accra: Dr. Kenneth Ashigbe, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, has urged the removal and sanctioning of Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), police commanders, and other state officials in areas plagued by illegal mining activities.
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr. Ashigbe highlighted during a three-day workshop on Mining Laws and Security for selected judges, prosecutors, and investigators, that these officials may be complicit or benefiting from illegal mining, which continues to devastate communities. He emphasized the urgent need for strict law enforcement to protect the nation from the adverse impacts of illegal mining, noting that only three companies currently engage in responsible and sustainable mining practices in Ghana.
Dr. Ashigbe warned about the environmental dangers posed by illegal mining, particularly the use of mercury, and criticized the failure to trace, arrest, and prosecute those responsible for importing harmful chemicals in violation of the Minamata Convention. He called on the government to halt these illegal activities and urged participants to uphold justice for the state's benefit.
His Lordship Justice Tanko Amadu, Justice of the Supreme Court and Director of the Judicial Training Institute, stated that illegal mining is a pressing issue in Africa, particularly in Ghana. He described the challenge of being rich in mineral resources but poor in development as a common problem in the region. Justice Amadu stressed the importance of the seminar for environmental protection and development and indicated that stakeholders in the mining industry must prioritize effective prosecution and adjudication of mining offenses.
Justice Amadu highlighted the significance of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), which requires obtaining necessary approvals and permits for mining activities to protect natural resources, public health, and the environment. He called for mobilizing security agencies to tackle illegal mining and urged the judiciary to adhere to their oaths and contribute pragmatically to protecting the ecosystem.
Despite amendments to the statute, Justice Amadu noted that environmental governance and sustainability remain insufficiently addressed. He advocated for aligning Act 703 with international environmental standards and urged reflection on contemporary ecological protection mechanisms. Participants were encouraged to apply the workshop's insights to improve adjudication and law enforcement in combating illegal mining.
