The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has attributed a recent road accident involving officials of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the Ashanti Region to a violent attack carried out by illegal miners (galamsey operators).
The ministry confirmed that a confrontation between the illegal miners and a joint EPA team—who were accompanied by journalists—near Obuasi resulted in a road accident that left several people injured, including a Channel One TV journalist.
Details of the Attack
Ama Mawuse, Director of Communications at the Ministry, addressed the media during a review of the week’s anti-galamsey operations. She explained that the incident occurred while the EPA team was conducting an inspection exercise aimed at cracking down on unpermitted mining activities and illegal equipment manufacturing.
“They were conducting operations around the country, going round to ascertain who was operating these machines and manufacturing floating devices without a permit, and to close down shops. It was on one of these occasions that illegal miners spotted them and decided to attack them,” she said.
She recounted that the illegal miners hurled stones at the team, forcing the officials to flee for their lives.
“They were pelting stones at them and things like that. They had to flee for their lives, and in doing so, they had to take another route out of the place. It was in the course of that they got involved in an accident,” she narrated.
Casualties and Government Response
Ms. Mawuse confirmed the severity of the injuries, noting that:
- Two journalists were initially in critical condition but have since stabilized after receiving medical attention.
- One journalist had to undergo surgery following the incident.
- Several other team members sustained injuries.
The Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, Hon. Armah-Kofi Buah, expressed his disappointment over the attack but assured the public that the government remains resolute in its commitment to tackling illegal mining.
Meanwhile, the Ministry revealed that the NAIMOS task force had earlier arrested a Chinese national for engaging in illegal mining activities in the Eastern Region. The suspect has been handed over to the Ghana Immigration Service for further action.
Source: Citinewsroom
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