President of the Concerned Small Scale Miners Association Michael Kwadwo Peprah has accused the Minerals Commission of Ghana of giving out 90% of Ghana’s forest reserves has been to be mined.
According to him virtually all forests in the mining areas have been razed to the ground to make way for the heavy machinery of miners who have invaded the forests on the authority of the state.
Michael Kwadwo Peprah’s allegations sharply contradicts government’s vow to protect all forests zone in the wake of the havoc unleashed by irresponsible small scale mining and illegal mining.
Former Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation Prof Kweku Frimpong Boateng in an interview with the Ghana broadcasting Corporation alleged that persons within government including those working at the seat of the Presidency have invaded forest reserves and were engaged in mining.
Michael Kwadwo Peprah told Sena Nombo on the Gold Morning Conversation on Radio Gold that the forest reserves are the exclusive preserve of politicians in government.
He said his claim is borne out by the recent interception of equipment belonging to the Ashanti regional Chairman of the governing New Patriotic Party in a forest reserve.
He said Bernard Antwi Bosiako is not the only leading political figure mining a forest reserve.
Story: Radiogoldlive.com
