By Jack Affram
The 1,2000 – strong Obuasi Mine Workers Wives Association has added their voice to the appeal by the Ghana Chamber of Mines ?to the government to review its decision to withdraw the military task force from the mining companies. Their ?genuine fears are that? the withdrawal will lead to resumption of full scale galamsey activities, which will worsen the safety and security of the people of Obuasi and AngloGold Ashanti employees ?and their dependents.
In an exclusive interview with?SpyGhana.com?on Monday, Mrs Doris Appiah Kubi, Secretary of the association, commended the government for Operation Flush-Out in Obuasi, which ?started on 17 March and ended 30 November this year. The operation, described as the biggest anti- illegal mining operation in recent years to destroy galamsey sites and flush out illegal miners from the mining communities, ?resulted in significant reduction in illegal mining activities in the municipality, but ?the association is not convinced that the withdrawal of the soldiers would not worsen the situation.
She, therefore appealed to the government, as the initiator and promoter of the industry, to look again at its decision as indication on ground show that the galamseyers are planning to take back their illegal turf. AngloGold Ashanti is facing challenges , so allowing the illegal miners to operate? will not only worsen the challenges but will undermine the current determination and enthusiasm of the workers, who are doing all that they can to ensure the successful transformation of the operation.
The association is not the only group ?or individual to appeal to the government to revisit the derivative. Honourable Edward Ennin, Member of Parliament for Obuasi East also told?SpyGhana.com?that the withdrawal of the ?military is too short and sudden and the government will be doing greater services to the people in Obuasi and the surrounding communities affected by illegal mining activities, if it allows the military taskforce to stay until proper alternative security arrangements are in place. ??Illegal mining is now a major risk in the communities and on the Obuasi mine, if we don?t take care the over 10,000 illegal miners ?in the municipality will take over one day?, he warned.
?Galamsey activities have reduced alright in the municipality, thanks to the presence of the military and the police, but we need both of them to continue maintaining ?law and order; ?working hand-in-hand to the check the activities of the illegal miners, but to suddenly withdraw the ?military and leave the task to the police alone is not right?We can only appealed to the government to review its decision to protect the municipality from these illegal miners? .
In a similar development the Ghana Chamber of Mines at the weekend also called on the government? and the Ghana Military High Command to review its decision to withdraw military officers from the mining communities of the Ashanti, Western and Brong Ahafo Regions as it ?considers the withdrawal as dangerous, and therefore objects to it as it would have negative ramifications on the mood of security at mining companies and their host communities.
The Chamber was not happy with the short notice that the withdrawal notice was communicated to them; saying ?correspondence communicating the decision to withdraw these personnel was dated November 26, 2013. Yet, the officers were to vacate their post on November 30, 2013. Obviously, it will be difficult, if not impossible, to arrange an alternative credible security system within this short period?. The chamber said the mining industry makes use of explosives, cyanide and other hazardous chemicals which require the protection of armed security officers by law ?withdrawing these officers therefore increases the risk of it getting into the hands of the wrong people. In turn, the danger to human health and the safety of the environment will be escalated?.
The Minerals and Mining Act (2006), Act 703, states that every mineral in its natural state located within the boundaries of Ghana is the bonafide property of Ghanaians vested in the President. This implies that the state has a responsibility to complement the efforts of mining companies in protecting these mineral resources. The withdrawal ?has the potential to scale-back the gains made by the government in halting illegal mining. As you are no doubt aware, several billions of the tax payer?s money has been spent to arrest, prosecute and even deport foreigners involved in this illegal activity, according to the chamber..
In recent times, there has been an increase in the incidence of armed robbery on the Takoradi- Tarkwa, Tarkwa?Bogoso and Bogoso-Ayanfuri roads as well as other areas close to mine sites. The presence of these officers has provided succor to property and life in the affected areas, the chamber said. ??Withdrawing these officers will therefore open the floodgates of crime in the highly security sensitive mining areas. This has even compelled the Ghana Mineworkers Union to threaten a withdrawal of their services if the Military High Command implements its decision. Their threat stems from the insecurity that will engulf the mine site as a result of the absence of the armed officers?.
