Jail Galamseyers 40 years to serve as Deterrent – Angry Chief tells Judges

Judges across the country especially those who prosecute suspects arrested by the Operation Vanguard set up by the government to help get rid of illegal small scale miners popularly known as galamsey have been urged to prescribe a stiffer punishment to those found guilty to serve as enough deterrent to others who have plans of engaging themselves in the act. The call was made by participants at town hall meeting organized by the Media Coalition against Galamsey(MCAG) for stakeholders of Obuasi and Asante North Municipalities at a separate meeting. Nana Ampong Natwi,the chief of Obuasi-Mensakrom who was the lead advocate for a stiffer punishment for the culprits in the galamsey menace proposed that at least those found culpable should be giving 30 to 40 years jail term. The Chief said looking at the cost involved in the fight against galamsey, the expenditure of the Operation Vanguard, reclamation among other expenses at the expense of the tax payers there is the need to reconsider the punishment to the culprits

According to him, the galamseyers should not only be sentenced but all those involved particularly the chiefs who gave them the land too should be prosecuted to serve as deterrent to others. Nana Natwi’s proposal received a lot of backing from participants.

Colonel Michael Amoah Ayisi- the leader of Operation Vanguard on his part disclosed that they have so far covered 80% of their operation regions particularly Eastern, Ashanti, Western and central region.That very soon the government would give them the greenlight to extend their operation to the remaining regions. He said since the inception of team they have been able to reduce illegal mining to appreciable level. Colonel Ayisi noted also that they have embarked on 1,168 patrols, with 1,358 excavators have been arrested whiles 1,203 also immobilized.

He announced that 1,578 water pump machines,87 vehicles and 84 motor bikes of various types have also been seized. Adding that the team have also seized 2,365 ammunitions and 116 arms also seized whiles 5,756 changfans machines destroyed.

Colonel Ayisi said out of the 1358 suspects arrested only 22 persons made up of 10 percent have been dully prosecuted or got conviction and described the justice delivery system as very slow. He therefore called on the government to ban the importation of Changfans machines which he revealed Chinese have now adopted new method by hiring the machines to Ghanaians to operate before paying them so in the course of the destruction of the machines Ghanaians would still have to pay them hence they don’t lose anything .He lamented about inadequate personnel, logistics and leakage of information by the indigenous to the galamseyers. Colonel Michael Amoah Ayisi appealed for all hands to be on deck since the government, Media Coalition Against Galamsey, Operation Vanguard alone cannot end the fight without cooperation and support of all especially small scale miners and law abiding citizens.He indicated that Operation Vanguard was not enemy to the galamseyers or residents but they only focus and attention to get rid of illegal mining in the system.

Story by Isaac Amoah

http://thenewtrustnewspaper.com

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