CEO of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Ken Ashigbey, has called for immediate action against all politicians involved in illegal mining, popularly known as Galamsey.
Speaking on The Key Points on TV3 monitored by radiogoldlive.com, Saturday, August 9, Mr. Ashigbey stressed that the time for rhetoric is over and that security agencies must move decisively against offenders.
“We need to start seeing action against politicians involved in Galamsey. Enough is enough — our security agencies must get to work,” he urged.
His comments come in the wake of the tragic military helicopter crash on Wednesday, August 6, which claimed the lives of eight prominent Ghanaians, including Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Minister for Environment Murtala Mohammed, and former Ashanti Regional Minister Samuel Sarpong.
Also among the deceased were Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; Samuel Aboagye, a former MP and NDC Vice Chairman; Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala; Flying Officer Mane-Twum Ampadu; and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
The Ghana Armed Forces confirmed in a statement that the helicopter, which departed Accra for Obuasi, went off radar before crashing. Eyewitnesses told Onua TV that the aircraft burned beyond recognition.
Mr. Ashigbey described the tragedy as a wake-up call to end the menace of illegal mining once and for all.
“My prayer is that the blood of these eight Ghanaians will not go in vain. We need to deal with these environmental criminals. This is the time for us to act,” he added.
The incident and calls for urgent action have once again brought the spotlight on the fight against illegal mining in Ghana.
