Ministry Of Lands Disagrees With Presbyterian Church Moderator Over Leadership Remarks

The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mike Hammah has expressed disagreement with the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church Rt. Rev Professor Martey that the leadership of the country has failed to deal with the issue of illegal mining. Speaking to Radio Ghana, Mr Hammah said a lot of people particularly chiefs on whose lands minerals are found are ignorant of the laws on mining, hence the need to step up intense education and sensitization measures to fight the menace. For his part, the Director General of Police Operation, John Kudalor says the Police are collaborating with the Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resource and the Immigration Service to put a stop to illegal mining in the country. Speaking to Radio Ghana, COP Kudalor said anybody who wants to go into mining should conform to the laws and appropriate procedures of the country. He said the Police are going to intensify its operational activities and warned anyone found culpable will face the law. The Head of the Public Relations of the Ghana Immigration Service, Francis Palm-Deti says following confrontation between the people of Nigeria and some Chinese illegal miners, the Immigration Service conduct serious checks on anyone who enters the country. And it is committed to carry out its mandate effectively. He called on all stakeholders in the Mining Sector to collaborate and fight this menace. Meanwhile, the Programme Officer of the Third World Network, Abdullai Dramani says the invasion of illegal foreigners into the country's Small Scale Mining particularly is not in the interest of national development. He said a lot of attention needs to be attached to the issue of Small Scale Mining since it is a potential area for addressing rural unemployment.