Government revises visa rules for Chinese nationals to curb galamsey

The government has announced a revision of visa processing procedures for Chinese nationals as part of renewed measures to combat illegal mining.

Speaking at the Government Accountability Series on Monday, September 15, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, noted that although some Chinese nationals have been implicated in illegal mining, their actions are not officially sanctioned by the Chinese state.

“There’s no official China-Ghana policy to come and destroy our environment. They have been supporting us to get rid of their nationals who come in. I have been cracking down, arresting them, prosecuting them, and we will continue to arrest and prosecute,” Mr. Ablakwa said.

He added that Ghana is engaging Chinese authorities to deepen cooperation in tackling the menace.

“I can confirm to you that as part of my recent visit to China, I told them the position of President John Dramani Mahama and told them that this cannot continue. We made it clear to the city authorities that they cannot send their nationals here to engage in galamsey,” he said.

Mr. Ablakwa disclosed that the government has introduced stricter visa rules for Chinese nationals seeking to enter Ghana.

“The new policy is now at our embassy in Beijing and our consulate in Guangzhou, where we no longer process group visa applications; that is the new policy,” he confirmed.