Hon. Minister for Lands and Natural Resources Samuel A. Jinapor on 18th May, 2021 embarked on aerial (helicopter) tour over the Pra River Basin, which covers the Central, Western, Eastern, and Ashanti Regions.
The visit is to ascertain for himself the progress of the ongoing operation to protect the country’s water bodies and forest cover from the activities of illegal miners.
He is accompanied by top Military officers, officials of the Ministry and the media.
The threat posed by illegal mining to the quality of water resources in Ghana has become a major public concern due to the closing down of some water treatment plants in the country.
At Anyinam Atiwa East.
The Hon. Minister called on Residents to help him, the President and government curb the illegal mining menace.
The Hon. Minister also pleaded with them to form Associations to help them obtain the needed support from government. “You must also plant trees after your mining operations to protect our rivers and increase our forest cover”, he added.
The Hon. Minister, Samuel A.Jinapor has reiterated government’s commitment to curb the illegal mining menace without fear or favour. Speaking at the Regional Consultative Dialogue held in Kumasi, the Minister added that “extraordinary problems require extraordinary measures to curb the current illegal mining situation”.
On his part, the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu called for closer collaboration between the Ministry and Small-Scale miners to help curb the menace.
He further stated that he will not hesitate to sanction any traditional leader who engages in the illegal mining within his Jurisdiction.
See Photos Below.
