River Offin: Minerals Commission investigates illegal mining claims

The Minerals Commission is investigating a suspected case of illegal mining in the River Offin following the release of a clip of the alleged activity on social media.

Speaking to Asaase News, the chief executive of the commission, Martin Kwaku Ayisi said, “Our attention have been drawn to a video circulating on social media where somebody was talking in the background saying that people are doing illegal mining and washing all the stuff into the water body.”

The clip surfaced online barely a month after the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources commissioned five speedboats and handed them over to the Ghana Navy to patrol specific rivers, including the Ankobra, Pra, Offin, Birim and Black Volta.

“Yes, it has come to our attention, we are investigating to check the authenticity of that and trust me we will take swift action. Aside that I want you to know what the government has been doing within the last year or so to combat illegal mining,” Ayisi said.

“I think you would all agree that this is a very complex thing. So, what have we done within the last one month or so as part of finding a permanent solution.”

Outwitted

However, the commission said that some illegal miners have allegedly outwitted security operatives and are mining in the Offin River.

“We don’t want this. When we clear them they come back; every time they come back,” the commission said. “So, we are happy the government brought five speedboats.

“As we speak, an operation is going on. On many of the water bodies they are removing all those structures there. And once they come back the boats will stay behind the navy.”

Asaase Radio 99.5 – tune in or log on to broadcasts online
99.5 in Accra, 101.5 in Bawku, 99.9 in Bimbilla, 100.3 in Cape Coast, 90.7 in Ho, 98.5 in Kumasi, 99.7 in Tamale, 89.5 in Tarkwa and 106.9 in Walewale
Join the conversation. Call: 020 000 9951 or 059 415 7777. Or WhatsApp: 020 000 0995.
#AsaaseRadio
#TheVoiceofOurLand