'Slow' prosecution of illegal miners unacceptable - Media Coalition

The Media Coalition against Galamsey has blamed the Justice delivery system in Ghana for the slow pace in the fight against illegal mining in Ghana. 

This is because the rate at which the illegal miners are prosecuted and the fines slapped on them are not deterrent enough. 

Speaking at a sensitization workshop for Traditional and religious leaders on mining in Accra, Convener of the Coalition, Ken Ashigbey said the Justice delivery system has to do more to prosecute illegal miners in order to help curb the menace. 

He said it is unacceptable that out of 1,031 arrests made, only about twelve percent have been convicted. 

This he said shows that there is a major problem. He called on stakeholders in the prosecution chain particularly the Police and the Judiciary to ensure that such cases are treated with the urgency they deserve to deter other people from engaging in illegal mining.  

A number of Chinese nationals have been arrested in different parts of the country for allegedly undertaking illegal mining activities, a situation Ken Ashigbey believes should be addressed as soon as possible.  

Mr Ashigbey said the Chinese involvement in galamsey is real and must be tackled head- on.  He also urged government to tackle the issue devoid of political sentiments.

Source: GNA
---DECRYPTED---