Chinese still being arrested for Galamsey – 33 from Jan to April 2019

Operation Vanguard gave an operational update of their activities on the 26^th of April 2019. It is interesting to note that the Chinese are still deeply involved in the galamsey menace, 33 Chinese have been arrested since January 2019. So we should not just be worried about Ayisah Huang and the Nolle Prosiqui.

We need to ensure that this motivation of Chinese and other foreigners to come into Ghana to rape our lands, steal our resources and destroy our environment with reckless abandon only to be deported should stop. Just arresting them and not ensuring that we speedily prosecute them and sentence them on summary conviction to a fine of 300,000 penalty units and to a term of imprisonment of 20 years. This is the maximum sentence that the Minerals & Mining Act Amendments 2015 stipulate.

The media and leadership of the media as the 4^th Estate of the Realm need to reawaken and hold all Ghanaian leadership, political, traditional, security, etc. to account. I will reiterate that any DCE and MCE who has galamsey happening in their jurisdiction should be held responsible. As the Leaders of the District Security Council and District Mining Committee, if galamsey is still happening their district or municipality they are either incompetent or complicit. Any, which way they should not be the President representative in these areas then and should be relieved of that responsibility.

This is the report of Operation Vanguard

Over the past three weeks, OP VANGUARD personnel have continued to dominate their areas of operation in a bid to stifle illegal mining activities that’s been ongoing over the period. Several patrols were conducted within various targeted areas from our Forward Operating Bases in other to deter these illegal miners.

Update on Arrests and Seizures

Operations conducted within these three weeks have so far resulted in the arrest of 8 suspected Chinese illegal miners from various sites. This brings the total number of suspected Chinese illegal miners arrested to 33 since January of this year. Additionally, 72 other suspected foreign illegal miners have been arrested this year.

Within the past three weeks, 256 Changfan machines were also immobilized or destroyed by our personnel in addition to the seizure of 3 locally manufactured firearms and a motorcycle.

Speaking to Capt Andy Sowatey, the PRO for Operation Vanguard he says that these Chinese and foreigners have been handed over to IMCIM. The Media should follow up with the IMCIM, they will be in the best position to speak to their current whereabouts of these foreigners. It is important to find whether they have been charged, taken to court, given bail, prosecuted or deported?

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