NPP’s Chairman Wontumi has condemned the burning of excavators by Anti-Galamsey Task Force in their quest to curb illegal mining in the country.
He described the act as “inappropriate and barbaric” which must be condemned by all including the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Mr. John Peter Amewu.
The National Anti-Galamsey Task force, code named ‘Operation Vanguard,’ has reportedly set about 10 excavators on fire.
The incident reportedly happened when it invaded Extra Gold Company and other mining sites at Akyem-Banso and Kwabeng – all in the Atiwa District of the Eastern Region, on Tuesday.
The earth-moving equipment of at least 22 tones each were doused when a contingent of the 400 members of the task force went to the mining sites.
The team, consisting of military and police personnel, reportedly fired several gunshots at the premises of the company.
The burning of the excavators is contrary to the Minerals and Mining Act 2015 - Section 99 under Offences and Penalties states that seized equipment must be kept in the custody of the police.
Speaking on NEAT FM’s morning show ‘Ghana Montie’ - The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako urged the owners of the heavy duty machine to sue government.
“They should go to court and sue government. In as much as we are fighting against illegal mining, it is uncivilized to burn excavators whiles we can use that to work. Whoever is responsible must be identified and face the law. I have been a victim and will never support this barbaric act,” he said.
“I believe the task force members have been trained for this operation, were they advised to burn excavators? Someone must face the law for this inhumane behavior,” he told host Kwesi Aboagye.
Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/Peacefmonline.com/ Twitter: @Washman5/ Instagram: Washman007
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I thought the Galamseyers were warned to abandon their operations? If they have been defiant then they should bear the brunt of all these. In any case if Mr. Wontumi thinks what the Task Force has done is wrong and he can assist the owners of the excavators to sue, he should go ahead. He is wasting time. Oya he should file a case in court!
TWO WRONGS DOES NOT MAKE A RIGHT. IT IS BARBARIC FOR THE SOLDIERS TO BURN AND DESTROY EXCAVATORS. THE EXCAVATORS CAN BE CONFISCATED TO THE STATE IF WE CAN SO SO BY LAW. WE DONT LIVE IN THE JUNGLES. THE RULE OF LAW MUST WORK. THOUGH GALAMSEY SHOULD BE STOPPED WE MUST USE THE RIGHT METHOD TO STOP IT. JUST LIKE IT IS WRONG FOR CITIZENS TO TAKE THE LAW INTO THEIR HANDS TO KILL ANY PERSON IF SUCH A PERSON IS CRIMINAL SO IT IS WRONG FOR SOLDIERS OR THE STATE TO USE WRONG PROCESS TO DESTROY LIFE OR PROPERTY. THE STATE HAS THE POWER AND RIGHT TO IMPRISONED CRIMINAL AND THEY SHOULD APPLY THE SAME POWER TO CONFISCATE WRONG PROPERTY WHEN SUCH PROPERTY CAN BE USED TO BUILD ROADS.
This is illegal mining and you are giving them undeserved rights. Do you know the number of people these galamsey activities have destroyed apart from polluting water bodies? Poor children are dying because of dangerous working conditions. People are getting cancer and heart disease because of pollution. People livelihood, farms are being destroyed. Do these galamseyers pay compensation? Nkwasea sem akwa kwa. Wontumi, you can sue for them
Wuntumi should keep quite for he is a greedy bustard.he doesn't want the good of the good people of Ghana.
The NPP believes in due process of law, development in freedom and human right. The party does not believe in destruction and deprivation of one's property. Burning mining equipment and carrying out "instant justice" against the offending Galamsayers were not part of the Task Force's mandate.They were to deter, arrest and seize equipment in operation. By these, the owners of the equipment are free to seek redress in court for compensation. And mark my words, they will succeed if they go to court.
BURN THEM!!!!!!, When they found on Galamsey site, because some people thin they are above the law, burn them, and Nana should stay out and let the boys carry out the mission.
WONTUMI THIS ONE YOU ARE COMPLETELY WRONG, ARE YOU ALSO SAYING THAT THOSE INVOLVED IN ACTIVITY DID HEAR THE PRESIDENT AND THE MINISTER AND WHOLE GHANA ASKING THEM STOP THEIR NEFERIOUS ACT WHICH IS HAVING A SERIOUS CONSEQUENCE ON OUR ENVIRONMENT AND WATER BODIES. IF YOU WERE A VICTIM IT WAS BECAUSE YOU WANTED IT. THE PRESIDENT AND GHANA DON'T HATE MINING BUT THE ACT OF DESTROYING OUR ENVIRONMENT AND WATER BODIES. NOBODY AUTHORIZED THAT MACHINE INTO THE BUSY AND WHEN AN ILLEGAL ITEMS (CLOTHES) ARE IMPORTED INTO THE COUNTRY AND ARE CONFISCATED , THEY ARE BURNT INTO AHES.
THIS SO CALLED WONTUMI SHOULD KNOW HE IS A CRIMINAL HIMSELF FOR ENGAGING IN GALAMSEY. HE SHOULD MARK MY WORDS THAT LEGAL ISSUES WOULD SURELY BE RAISED AGAINST HIM SOME TIME TO COME IN OUR NATION HISTORY AND HE WILL BE MADE TO PAY DEARLY FOR CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ILLEGAL GALAMSEY MENACE THAT HAS ROCKED THIS NATION. THE NATION SHOULD DIE BECAUSE OF YOU YOUR GREEDY NATURE TO BE RICH AT ALL COST AT THE DETRIMENT OF THE GHANAIANS. YOU HAVE MOUTH TO SHOUT LOUD NOW BUT TIME WILL SURELY CATCH UP WITH YOU.
are you sure if they should confiscate these equipment, they wont find their way back to the owners? burn them all. make sure they are burnt to ashes before you laeve the sites.
Wotume should thing far, what the hell he think he is ??? what a f