Nkonkonsa Celebrity Gossip From Africa
Samuel Abu Jinapor has acknowledged that illegal small-scale mining, commonly referred to as galamsey, continues to be a significant challenge despite the efforts undertaken during his leadership.
He clarified that the primary cause of illegal mining is gold itself.
“Gold is money, and with its price skyrocketing, the urge to secure it at all costs is insatiable,” he noted.
“It’s extremely difficult to clamp down on because of the various factors involved—traditional authorities, local political leadership, law enforcement challenges, and political interests.”
Jinapor recognized that although certain measures proved successful, the matter continues to be under development.
“We did not eliminate illegal small-scale mining, and it is important to concede that,” he admitted.
“The new minister, Kofi Amoah, is highly capable, and with collective national effort, we should be able to make further progress.”
He made comparisons with other nations, highlighting that illegal mining is a worldwide problem.
“South Africa has Zama Zama, where police officers are even killed because of illegal mining. Even in Australia, there are concerns about unlawful mining activities,” he said.
Despite these challenges, Jinapor remains optimistic. “We can’t eliminate crime, but we can contain it. What disturbs Ghanaians is when illegal miners destroy forest reserves, river bodies, and communities. That’s where the real concern lies,” he asserted.
credit:mynewsgh
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