Some Chinese are involved in Galamsey; deal with them – Chinese Ambassador tells gov’t
The Chinese government has warned its nationals in Ghana against engaging in illegal mining amid the country’s worsening galamsey crisis, which has devastated water bodies and forest reserves.
There has been a growing water crisis in recent weeks, with the Ghana Water Company blaming the pollution of key water sources.
As Ghana seeks solutions, the Chinese Ambassador to Ghana Tong Defa in an interaction with journalists acknowledged that some Chinese individuals are involved in the illicit practice, but emphasized that the Chinese government discourages such activities.
“I know there are some Chinese involved in this illegal mining but we discourage them.
“I accompanied President Akufo-Addo to Beijing when he met our President in 2018, our President told him that ‘if any Chinese committed any illegal sins here in Ghana, you should hold them accountable to your laws’. So we discourage Chinese people from doing this illegal mining,” he said.
Conversations on galamsey and its dire impact arose after the management of Ghana Water Company Limited in the Central Region announced that there would be challenges with water supply in Cape Coast, Elmina, and surrounding communities.
The company revealed that the recent demand-supply gap is due to inadequate raw water received at the Sekyere Hemang Water Treatment Plant caused by galamsey activities.
Environmental groups, civil society organisations, and concerned citizens have since voiced their frustrations over the lack of significant progress in curbing galamsey activities.
Organised Labour on Wednesday, issued a stern warning to the government, threatening a nationwide strike by the end of September if decisive action is not taken to address the escalating galamsey crisis.
Myjoyonline.com
