A group calling itself Concerned Citizens Against Galamsey picketed the Ministry of the Interior to present a formal petition demanding stronger enforcement against illegal mining.
The group, led by member Patience Tei, presented the petition on Friday, February 27, as part of its ongoing campaign to combat galamsey.
Similar petitions were also submitted to the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources, and the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation.
In their petition to the Interior Ministry, the group called for the deployment of security agencies with a clear mandate to dismantle illegal mining networks, confiscate equipment and prosecute offenders, including those who use violence to protect mining operations.
They expressed concern that peaceful protesters and civil society actors campaigning against galamsey have faced what they described as politically motivated prosecutions.
The group urged the Ministry to ensure that law enforcement and prosecutorial bodies do not intimidate or target citizens exercising their constitutional right to protest.
Among their key demands, the group called for an immediate directive to security services to enforce existing laws against illegal mining without fear or favour.
They also proposed the establishment of dedicated security units tasked specifically with protecting communities, activists and journalists working against galamsey.
The petition further urged the Ministry to ensure that the Ghana Police Service and other security agencies do not engage in or facilitate the arrest and intimidation of environmental activists and peaceful demonstrators.
The group called for the active implementation of the Whistleblower Act to safeguard individuals who report illegal mining activities, as well as the prosecution of any security personnel found complicit in protecting or enabling illegal mining operations.
Finally, they appealed for closer collaboration between the Interior Ministry and other state institutions to develop a national security strategy that treats galamsey as an organised criminal enterprise.
The group said it expects swift action from the government to protect Ghana’s environment and uphold the rule of law.
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Source: www.myjoyonline.com