The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has said the government was committed to the deportation of all foreign nationals engaged in illegal mining activities in Ghana, widely referred to as galamsey.
Speaking to some members of the Ghanaian community in Lagos, Nigeria at the weekend, the Minister reiterated President John Mahama’s firm stance on safeguarding Ghana’s natural resources.
“It has been stated by President Mahama that no form of mining will be tolerated in our river bodies or forest reserves,” he stated.
Mr Ablakwa revealed that a military operation targeting illegal miners is set to be launched in the coming days.
“In the next few days, people will be rounded up and prosecuted,” he said, indicating the seriousness of the impending clampdown.
He further disclosed that while numerous deportations have already taken place, these efforts have not been widely publicised.
“A lot of deportations have already been carried out; they have just not been advertised,” he explained.
The Minister also stressed the importance of cracking down on repeat offenders, particularly those who return to restricted mining zones after previous operations.
He appealed to Ghanaians living in Nigeria to support the national campaign against illegal mining, assuring that the government would deploy all necessary measures to bring the menace under control.
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