Ghana's Member of Parliament for North Tongu and Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has reaffirmed the country’s commitment to combating illegal mining—commonly known as galamsey—despite maintaining strong diplomatic and economic ties with China.
Speaking during his Government Accountability Series, Ablakwa acknowledged the importance of Ghana’s longstanding relationship with China, emphasizing that many Chinese companies are lawfully operating in Ghana and playing a vital role in national development.
“We have an excellent relationship with China. To be fair, many Chinese investors are involved in legitimate, transformative business activities,” he said.
However, Ablakwa was clear that Ghana’s fight against environmental degradation caused by illegal mining will not be compromised, regardless of foreign relations.
“There is no official Chinese government policy that supports galamsey. On the contrary, Chinese officials in Beijing have consistently expressed their disapproval of such activities,” Ablakwa noted.
“They have been cooperating with us in tracking, arresting, and prosecuting their nationals involved in illegal mining. This will continue.”
During a recent trip to China, Ablakwa visited Nanning in Guangxi Province, a region reportedly linked to several Chinese nationals who later appear in Ghana involved in galamsey operations.
“I met with the Governor of Guangxi and other local officials. I was very direct,” he recalled.
“I made it clear—echoing former President Mahama’s stance—that while Ghana welcomes genuine investors, we will not tolerate the illegal destruction of our environment by foreign nationals.”
Ablakwa stressed that the crackdown on illegal mining is not targeted at any particular nationality but is a national priority to safeguard Ghana’s natural resources for future generations.
Source: MyNewsGh.com
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
0 Comments