Samuel Abu Jinapor
Pressure Group OccupyGhana has congratulated the Lands and Natural Resources Minister for ordering a halt to mining activities in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve.
The group was however quick to ask that further action be taken against those in breach of the ‘stay off’ directive on the reserve.
In a statement copied to the Attorney General, the IGP, the Chief Executives, Forestry Commission and the Minerals Commission, the group however described the action as not enough and, therefore, demanded that further action be taken in line with the tenets of the law.
“While congratulating you on this step, we would be taken aback if that was all you did. If the company is engaged in the activities that you have alleged, then it is committing an offence that is punishable by fines and prison terms between 15 and 25 years as provided for in section 99(2)(a) of Act 703.
“We therefore demand that you forthwith refer the facts and evidence in your possession that show that the said mining company is undertaking mining operations in breach of the Act, to the police and the Attorney General for further investigations and prosecution of the company and its directors and officers,” OccupyGhana demanded in the statement.
It would be recalled that on September 28, 2022 the group wrote an open letter to the President asking that he ensures that the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended, is enforced without fear and favour and irrespective of whose ox is gored.
“Today, we have seen a press release from your ministry, stating that you have directed the Forestry Commission to halt the mining operations of a company called Akonta Mining Limited in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve. You state that the basis for this directive is that the said company is undertaking the mining operations without a mining lease,” it added.