The three; Augustine Opoku, 17, Evans Mensah, 20 and Emmanuel Aidoo, 19, are all natives of Subriso in the municipality.

[contextly_sidebar id=”xOFojFZ3iMuJ7XZVmlWy2QLTdMlRvHLu”]Chief Executive for the Bekwai Municipal Assembly, Kwaku Kyei Baffour who confirmed the incident to Citi News said the three young men had dug a pit of about 10 to 20 ft depth to search for the nugget after it rained in the area.

He said the pit is yet to be covered.

“What happened is enough a warning to whoever wants to go and do same. We have warned the people through the Assembly member in the area, and we have also organised community durbars to warn them to desist from such acts,” he indicated.

Mr Kyei Baffour said the Assembly would organise series of engagements with communities within the area to sensitise them on the dangers of entering into pits to carry out illegal mining activities.

The bodies have been deposited at the Akomaa Memorial Hospital at Korchia for preservation and autopsy.

By: Hafiz Tijani/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Three illegal miners die in galamsey pit at Bekwai appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

He pleaded guilty and was convicted on his own plea.

Prosecuting Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Juliana Essel-Dadzie, told the court presided over by Mr. Eammunel Bart-Plange Brew that on March 18,, 2018, Bawuah was involved in a stealing case, and was arrested and sent to the Wassa Akropong police station to assist them in their investigations.

According to the prosecution, on March 19, at about 9:00 am, after his investigation caution statement had been taken, the convict was being escorted by detective Lance corporal Appiah to the charge office to be put in police cells when Bawuah pushed the detective down and took to his heels.

ASP Essel-Dadzie said Lance corporal Appiah and his colleague Lance corporal Richard Ganyo with the help of the public apprehended Bawuah 500 meters from the police station and he was later charged.

–

Source: GNA

The post Galamsey operator jailed 18 months for unlawful escape appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Forests cover about one-third of Ghana’s total area.

The interdependency of forest and wildlife and the need to take appropriate measures to optimize resource utilization , to ensure future supplies of wood and non-wood products and to manage national forest and wildlife in order to maintain the ecological balance and the diversity of the natural environment is very critical to our survival (Forest and Wildlife Policy, September, 1995)

The forest is the home of wildlife, hence the absence of forest impact negatively on the existence of wildlife. Wildlife survives mostly in the forest.

We cannot talk about the basics of life –food, water and shelter without our forest resources. The forest and wildlife are therefore in a symbiotic relationship.

The present state of Ghana’s forest is a wakeup call for every well-meaning human being who values life as wealth. As of 2013, Ghana’s forests cover was 1.6million hectares from 8million hectares at the beginning of the 1990s.

This is as a result of high incidence of illegal chainsaw logging, legal harvest and illegal mining popularly known as “Galamsey” in Ghana.

Ghana’s REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) readiness proposal claims that drivers of deforestation can be mainly attributed to agricultural expansion (which contributes to 50%), harvesting of wood (35%), population and development pressures (10%) and mining (5%) (Forestry Commission, 2012).

There is a popular saying that “When the last tree dies, the last man dies”. Therefore continuous depletion or destruction of our forests will eventually affect life.Basically, human actions are the main causes of our forest depletion.

These include, though not limited to: Agriculture activities, Harvesting of wood (both legal and illegal), Mining (both legal and illegal) and Bush burning

Reafforestation is the surest way to recover our lost forests and wildlife as a country. The way forward is that we must deliberately renew our depleted forests by planting more and diverse trees especially indigenous species. To support the tree planting exercise, we must vigorously engage in environmental education, promoting tourism, recycling and law enforcement.

Environmental campaigns such as World Environment Day (an annual celebration on the world calendar earmarked to create awareness on the significance of trees in the environment), Global March on Elephants and Rhinos, World Wildlife Day, International Day of Forests, etc.

Education of the general public through the media, a curriculum of our basic and second cycle schools should include environmental education especially ecosystem sustainability.

Reforestation also promotes tourism. Tourists will love to pay to see wildlife such as mammals, primates, etc. living in their natural habitat.

Tourist sites such as Mole National park, Aburi Botanic Gardens, and Shai Hills generate a lot of foreign exchange to boost our economy.

Recycling

Recycling timber is another way of renewing or safeguarding our forests. Recycled timber is an environmentally friendly product and should be encouraged. The arrival of recycled timber as a construction product has been important in both raising industry and consumer awareness towards deforestation and promoting timber mills to adopt more environmentally friendly practices.

Law enforcement

Ghana has signed up to most international environmental laws and protocol. Ghana also has one of the best laws and legislation governing our natural resources especially our forests but the challenge is the proper enforcement of these laws.

So to be able to develop and sustain these natural resources, we should be able to enforce these laws or by-laws stringently and hard enough to deter people who perpetrate these evil acts of forest destruction.

By-laws should also be formulated and enforced at the local governance level on compulsory tree planting in our various communities.

The importance of reforestation to wildlife in Ghana cannot be overemphasized. Forestry plays a major role in the growth and development of the Ghanaian economy and the maintenance of environmental quality.

Reforestation rebuilds natural habitats and ecosystem, improves the quality of wildlife in general, mitigates global warming, and sustains the hydrological cycle.

In conclusion, if we want to develop sustainably as a country, reforestation is a must!

By: Edem Kojo Doe,

Landscape Designer, Pan-Africanist, Environmental and Gender Activist, and a Kufuor Scholar.

Student (University of Education, Winneba)

The post Importance of reforestation to wildlife in Ghana [Article] appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The company recently announced a significant improvement in the water situation, but that has been short-lived due to worsening pollution caused by illegal miners.

[contextly_sidebar id=”5ep2izl7QQjgv5to8ajxF4PjThGMFPZv”]According to the Western Regional Communications Manager of the company, Nana Yaw Barnie, the situation has led to continuous water rationing in most parts of the region.

“Whenever we enter the dry season, water becomes a problem because we do not have enough raw water for treatment, so that is what is happening now. We started rationing water in January and we are still rationing, we have a problem due to various factors such as galamsey,”he said.

He noted that galamsey is still very much alive in the Western Region despite ongoing efforts by the government to end it.

He indicated that, a report on water quality has shown that the colour quality of water bodies in the in region had decreased from 3000-900 Hazen Unit (HU)  in 2017, but this year, it has seen its worst increase of over 4000HU.

Citi News can confirm that some communities in the Wassa Akropong and Amenfi Districts of the Western Region are still engaged in illegal mining activities along water bodies.

This is in spite of a ban placed on all forms of small-scale mining and an intensified government effort to end illegal mining.

Figures from the Ghana Water Company Limited revealed that the Western Region is losing a total of 5.3 millions gallons of water daily due to the increased activities of illegal miners in the Pra River.

This means over half of the company’s customer base of 31,327 are denied potable drinking water on daily basis.

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By: Farida Yusif/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post W/Region: Illegal mining to blame for water rationing – GWCL appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to AYA, it is reliably informed that while Government has halted the activities in the whole of Ashanti, some mining companies in other regions were briskly mining.

The group in a statement said “That is cold pragmatism, hugely unfair and dishonest as we know governments imbibe the fundamental principles of fair treatment and honest dealings”.

[contextly_sidebar id=”Dw9UNez33P7HZ08rWad6cKQVXsB32gDy”]Small-scale mining operations are going on in the Western, Eastern, Central, Brong-Ahafo, Upper-East, Upper-West Regions. Companies such as C&J Alaska, Dollar Power, Nawara Moss, Kibi Goldfields, Extra Gold et al are mining with reckless abandon in a seeming disregard to the nationwide ban. So we ask, is the ban placed on small-scale mining or galamsey? If the latter is the answer, why are companies with licences in the other regions with mineral deposits except Asante (Ashanti) mining in the light of the ban?”

The group indicated that, miners in the Ashanti Region also have requisite documentation and licenses, and should be allowed to carry out their activities as their counterparts in other parts of the country.

The group further indicated that the ban has adversely affected the buoyancy and the drive of their local economy, since Artisans in their garages, market women and farmers are bearing the brunt of the ban.

The group has given government a two-week ultimatum to come out with a road-map on lifting the ban, and offer a comprehensive solution to the menace of illegal mining.

Small scale mining ban extended again

The Lands and Natural Resources Ministry on March 9, 2018, extended the ban placed on all forms of small-scale mining for the third time.

Following the widespread devastation of water resources and forest reserves as a result of the activities of illegal mining, government, in January 2017 placed a ban on small scale mining for a period of six months.

The ban was however extended in October 2017, for another three months, which ended in January 2018.

But speaking at an awards ceremony by the Bureau of Research, Governance, Commerce and Administration, the Lands and Natual Resources Minister, John Peter Amewu, explained that his outfit had to extend the ban again after small scale miners failed to meet the target set for them to have it reviewed.

–

By: Hafiz Tijani/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Asante youth group accuses gov’t of bias in mining ban appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

This is in spite of a ban placed on all forms of small-scale mining and an intensified government effort to end illegal mining.

[contextly_sidebar id=”g72YN8oAOgldMLmc1JpYzk6Y0GbxsRy0″]Citi News’ Western Regional Correspondent, Obrempong Yaw Ampofo, reports that although the anti-galamsey task-force, Operation Vanguard, is working in these areas, the miners have adopted new methods to outwit them.

“We have over a million illegal miners scattered across the Western Region. The Western Region has less than hundred land-guard officers trying to contain illegal mining. Galamsey is still ongoing in the Wassa Amenfi community”.

As part of measures to clamp down these miners, the National Commander of the task-force, Colonel Amoah Ayisi, said his team is hopeful that the involvement of the Navy and Marine Police will yield some positive results.

“The river body is a major concern in terms of these illegal mining activities. So far, we have managed to destroy four hundred and eighty-five floating platforms that they use on the river for illegal mining,” he said

The Western Regional Minister, Dr. Kwaku Afriyie, has said that the fight against illegal mining known as galamsey, will be sustained to bring an end to the abuse of Ghana’s mining laws and the destruction of the environment.

“The move by government to end galamsey or illegal mining is based on the wanton destruction of the country’s water bodies, farmlands and other infrastructure by individuals and groups within and outside the country. Due to the gravity of the situation, government through a well-orchestrated means will sustain the campaign against this menace”.

Small scale mining ban extended again

The Lands and Natural Resources Ministry has for the third time extended the ban placed on all forms of small-scale mining.

Following the widespread devastation of water resources and forest reserves as a result of the activities of illegal mining, government, in January 2017 placed a ban on small scale mining for a period of six months.

The ban was however extended in October 2017, for another three months, which ended in January 2018.

But speaking at an awards ceremony by the Bureau of Research, Governance, Commerce and Administration,  the Lands and Natual Resources Minister, John Peter Amewu explained that his outfit had to extend the ban again after small scale miners failed to meet the target set for them to have it reviewed.

“The ban has invariably been extended because we have not lifted it. We met with the Association and clearly our targets have still not been met. The ban is still in force until we have reviewed our performance and given an indication of what to do next.”

The Minister also indicated that his outfit will maintain the moratorium on all activities of small-scale mining until it was convinced that, illegal mining, otherwise known as “galamsey” had been completely eradicated.

‘Small-scale miners stage protest’

In September 2017, some small-scale miners in the Ashanti Regional capital, Kumasi, staged a demonstration against the ban,

Despite some police arrests and firing of tear gas at the protesters, the organizers described the demonstration as successful.

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By: Farida Yusif/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Illegal mining persists in parts of Western Region appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The five, including four Chinese and one Ghanaian, were arrested by government’s anti-galamsey task-force, Operation Vanguard, after a swoop on their site in Aboso.

[contextly_sidebar id=”XNBsoWJ4uqGgvT2CYrZoxu83EATPQrXi”]The team found that the miners were using large quantities of cyanide and other toxic substances in their operations.

National Commander of Operation Vanguard, Colonel Michael Amoah Ayisi in a Citi News interview, said those arrested include the owner of the illegal mining company.

“We were able to arrest 4 people and the owner of the facility. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) were brought in to help us do the assessment and also confirm certain things and make them face prosecution.”

“Currently, the suspects are at the Tarkwa Divisional Police Command and we are preparing them for prosecution at the law court.”

Meanwhile, EPA says it will begin cleaning up the site today, to avoid further contamination of the area.

The Senior Programs Officer at the Tarkwa office of the EPA, Moses Kpebu said “We’ll cordon off the place and we are discussing with stakeholders to help us clean up the place. We are dealing with high pollutants so we are mindful about how we deal with the situation,” he said.

The anti-galamsey task-force was deployed to three regions; Ashanti, Western and Eastern about five months ago, to help fight and sustain the campaign against illegal mining.

Their operations have resulted in the arrest of at least 600 illegal miners including foreign nationals, particularly Chinese.

The deployment of the joint police and military task-force came as a major boost to government’s fight against illegal mining in the country, following news of its devastating effects on the country’s land and water resources.

The government placed a six-month ban on all forms of mining until further notice, but has extended it again after the January 2018 deadline because the needed result has not been achieved.

–

By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post 5 ‘galamseyers’ mining with cyanide to face court today appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to him, the comment puts Ghana in bad light in terms of respect for human rights.

[contextly_sidebar id=”VNTPuvrI9KEoQjlLn4SGfHxis396h6YS”]“I don’t think we should be shooting people. No nation on earth, as a democracy advocates for the murder of its citizens irrespective of what crime they do. Shoot-on-site policy is something that we do in emergencies. We have not reached there yet. I think that statement has done a massive damage to Ghana internationally that we have a shoot-to-kill policy for people who we profile and we may be wrong in profiling those people. It is most unfortunate,” he said.

Joseph Osei Owusu, who is also the Member of Parliament for Bekwai Constituency, suggested the joint military and police anti-galamsey task force fighting illegal mining in various parts of the country adopts a shoot-to-kill approach in dealing with illegal miners destroying the country’s water resources.

While making a contribution on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday, Osei-Owusu said he would have issued a directive to that effect.

But some have condemned him for the comment and described it as reprehensive.

Meanwhile, the Majority leader, Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu, has also backed the suggestion saying that the country has treated illegal miners with kid gloves for far too long.

Given the precarious state of Ghana’s natural resources like vegetation and water bodies, Mr. Mensah-Bonsu said that taking lives to protect the environment is justified by the constitution.

Backing his claim with Article 13 of the Constitution which says “no person shall be deprived of his life intentionally except in the exercise of the execution of a sentence of a court in respect of a criminal offence under the laws of Ghana of which he has been convicted,” the caucus leader and Minister for Parliamentary Affairs said, “I do not think that the constitution, in so far as a matter is criminal, frowns upon the use of force to the extent that it may even deprive some other people of their lives. The constitution does not talk about that at all… Mr. Speaker, if we agree that what was going on was criminal, the constitution doesn’t forbid any person trying to prevent the commission of that crime from pursuing that person and asserting force which may even result in death.”

NPP MP kicks against shoot-to-kill proposal in galamsey fight

Meanwhile, New Patriotic Party [NPP] MP for Manso Adubia in the Ashanti Region, Yaw Frimpong, has said the suggestion for a shoot-to-kill approach in dealing with illegal miners in the country is inappropriate.

The MP, whose constituency is one of the worst affected by the activities of illegal miners believes a more pragmatic approach should be adopted.

He is of the view that a shoot-to-kill approach will not end the menace.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post ‘Shoot-to-kill galamseyers’ suggestion unfortunate – Aning appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The MP, whose constituency is one of the worst affected by the activities of illegal miners believes a more pragmatic approach should be adopted.

He is of the view that a shoot-to-kill approach will not end the menace.

[contextly_sidebar id=”YfvpgYuWOtn0Q99rNgXbvMRV9AWiZEcI”]His comments come a day after the Deputy Speaker of Parliament; Joe Osei Wusu, suggested that the security agencies be given the power to shoot at recalcitrant illegal miners.

The Deputy Speaker had suggested that this is the only way to deter them from engaging in the act.

He made the statement while responding to Member of Parliament for Kumbungu, Ras Muburak’s concerns on the burning of some tipper trucks allegedly used in sand winning in his constituency.

Speaking to Citi News, Mr. Frimpong indicated that, that approach will not be in the larger interest of the country.

“I do not believe in some of these drastic measures because innocent people get killed because of such policies. I remember when my Deputy Speaker made this comment, I sought for clarification and he said he did not mean Ghanaians but foreigners. Those who come here to destroy our heritage. He had a point but I felt he went beyond a certain limit because as a law maker we go by due process.”

“If someone offends the law, you have to arrest that person. I am a development consultant and I believe there is no single solution to any problem.”

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post MP kicks against shoot-to-kill proposal in galamsey fight appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, John Peter Amewu announced the extension at an awards ceremony by the Bureau of Research, Governance, Commerce and Administration, saying the move had become necessary after small-scale miners failed to meet the target set for them to have it reviewed.

The Director of Operations for the Association of Small Scale Miners, Emmanuel Yirenkyi explained in an interview with Citi News that the executives of the body will deliberate on government’s decision and proffer remedies at Friday’s meeting.

“The National Executives are going to meet on the statement and we will look at it critically and we are also going to consider the various engagements we have had with the government and activities we have done together as stakeholders and then come out clearly to respond,” he said.

“We are going to consider the level of trust between the government and John Peter Amewu. We need to consider the dimensions of all these and what could have necessitated that particular statement from the Minister.”

Talks over mining ban

The announcement of the extension of the ban comes weeks after the Minister had indicated that his outfit was holding talks with the Small Scale Miners Association on the possibility of lifting the ban.

Mr. Amewu stated that lot more needed to be done before the ban can be lifted.

He said though government had rolled out measures to clamp down on activities of illegal miners, results yielded so far in the crusade were still unsatisfactory.

The Ghana National Association of Small-Scale miners, whose members have been largely affected, had warned of dire consequences should the ban be extended again.

The Association urged the Ministry to lift the ban and rather ensure strict enforcement of the country’s mining laws.

‘Small-scale miners stage protest’

In September 2017, some small-scale miners in the Ashanti Regional capital, Kumasi, staged a demonstration against the ban,

Despite some police arrests and firing of tear gas at the protesters, the organizers described the demonstration as successful.

–

By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Small-scale miners to meet over mining ban extension appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.