The Chinese Are The Ones Destroying Water Bodies And Forest Reserves - Concerned Small Scale Miners

Small Scale Miners Association accused government of failing to deal decisively with the perceived Chinese role and influence in illegal small-scale mining in Ghana. The group insists Chinese nationals are mostly responsible for the challenges in the country’s small scale mining sector. The fight against illegal mining has constantly

witnessed the arrest of some Chinese nationals usually alongside their Ghanaian counterparts too. The group’s remarks come after the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Jinapor also called for a closer partnership between Ghana and the China to curb the illegal mining activities in Ghana. The Minister also said there was an

urgent need for both the two countries to work closely together to efficiently regulate the Ghana’s small-scale mining sector. But the President of the Concerned Small Scale Miners, Michael Kwadwo Peprah also claims the Chinese have largely contributed to the destruction and depletion of Ghana’s forest reserves with the backing of

some Ghanaian politicians. We should understand that these Chinese are the cause of all what's happening, he insisted. The destruction of our forest reserves and our water bodies is basically also being caused by these Chinese, and it is being supported by these politicians. Mr. Peprah stressed that if we really want to fight illegal

mining, all guns should be pointed at the politicians who have gone for the licenses and are using the Chinese to mine. The government’s anti-illegal mining campaign also known as ‘Operation Halt’ has intensified the fight against the menace on water bodies and in the forest reserves. The operation is being undertaken by a little over 400 men of all ranks.