The chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament, James Klutse Avedzi has criticised the government for its inability to effectively address the issue of illegal mining.
Avedzi expressed concerns over what he said is the government’s lack of decisive action, pointing out that both President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the Forestry Commission have failed to tackle the problem adequately.
His comments follow a presentation by the Forestry Commission to the Public Accounts Committee, where they outlined the implementation of various interventions aimed at curbing illegal mining.
Executive Director of the Forest Service Division of the Forestry Commission, Hugh Brown told PAC on Tuesday, August 13, about the progress being made in the fight against illegal mining.
Mr Brown disclosed in his presentation that “Between January 2022 and now [August 2024], we have immobilised more than 160 excavators. We have arrested more than 400 persons. Last year [2023] alone, we arrested about 281 persons and only 22 of these cases were tried successfully. Most of them are pending.”
Despite the combative efforts by the Forestry Commission, Avedzi remains unconvinced that illegal mining is being addressed with the necessary urgency and effectiveness.
“You have painted a very good picture that things are getting better. I doubt it. Something that the president could not solve, how can you a small boy solve it? The president couldn’t solve it. As for this illegal mining thing, I am not sure the answer you have given here is anything to go by.”