‘Galamsey Now a ‘Right’? Erastus Asare Donkor Condemns Attack on Forestry Commission Office
Award-winning environmental journalist Erastus Asare Donkor has expressed serious concerns about the impunity with which people now perceive galamsey as a right.
He stated, “Now people see galamasy as a right? People can grab arms, dress in national security uniforms and storm a lawful regulator tasked by law to protect forest reserves and lock up its offices? Why?,” he posted on his Facebook page.
His comments came in response to the unlawful closure of the Bekwai District Office of the Forestry Commission by individuals claiming to be National Security operatives in the Ashanti Region.
Breaking the law
Erastus questioned why people feel compelled to break the law by invading a protected reserve to mine, adding that they would resort to forcibly shutting down the Forestry Commission office to pursue their illegal activities.
“ We cannot turn our forests into illegal mining zones. Somebody must sit up, “ he urged.
Minister reacts
In reaction to these events, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, condemned the invasion of the office. “Such acts of lawlessness undermine the rule of law, threaten public peace, and tarnish the integrity of institutions like the National Security. These actions must not be allowed to continue. I call on all relevant law enforcement agencies to swiftly apprehend and prosecute all those involved in this illegality,” he stated.
