By Alex Ababio
Dr. Arthur Kennedy, a political activist, expressed his doubts about the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) being able to conduct proper investigations into illegal mining.
He believes that the CID is too closely connected to the government, making it impossible to obtain reliable and comprehensive results on the issue.
He spoke to JoyNews which was monitored by Ghanaian Watch Online.
Dr Kennedy suggested that a parliamentary hearing should be convened to determine how to legalize small-scale mining while ensuring that it is environmentally friendly and beneficial to the country.
He is concerned about the growing problem of state capture, where wealthy political figures who support candidates try to profit from the state.
Kennedy urged Ghanaians not to sit idly by while the situation deteriorates.
Kennedy’s comments were made in response to the leaked report by former Environment Minister Prof. Kwabena Frimpong Boateng, which implicated some top government officials in illegal mining.
Many of those implicated in the report have denied the allegations, claiming that the facts have been distorted.
Kennedy’s call for a parliamentary hearing comes amidst growing concerns about illegal mining and its impact on the environment and public health.
Ghana has been struggling to address the issue of illegal mining, which has led to the destruction of water bodies, land degradation, and the loss of biodiversity.
The government has launched several initiatives to tackle the problem, including Operation Vanguard, a joint military-police task force, and the Multilateral Mining Integrated Project (MMIP), which aims to formalize small-scale mining activities.
However, Kennedy believes that more needs to be done to ensure that small-scale mining is carried out in a responsible and sustainable manner. He emphasized the need for transparency and accountability in the mining sector and called for a collective effort to address the issue.
Kennedy’s skepticism about the CID’s ability to investigate illegal mining highlights the need for an independent and transparent approach to tackling the issue. The government and other stakeholders must work together to develop effective policies and strategies to address illegal mining and promote sustainable mining practices in Ghana.