The Municipal Chief Executive for Nzema East in the Western Region,Hon.Hebert Kuah Dickson,has strongly condemned the recent shooting incident at the Gwira Ampansie mining site and called on licensed mining companies to employ professional security personnel to prevent unnecessary gun violence at mining sites.
According to the MCE, the growing tension and violent confrontations at some mining concessions remain a major concern to the Assembly and stakeholders in the area.
He stressed that the use of untrained security men and illegal armed groups at mining sites often escalates misunderstandings into deadly incidents.
Hon. Hebert Kuah Dickson therefore urged all licensed mining companies operating within the municipality to engage trained and professional security officers who can handle security matters lawfully and professionally without resorting to indiscriminate gunshots.
The MCE also condemned allegations by some traditional authorities accusing him of doing little to fight illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, in the municipality.
He described the accusations as bogus and misleading.
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According to him, the Assembly has been working tirelessly with the Western Regional Minister and the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) to clamp down on illegal mining activities in the area.
He explained that several operations have already been carried out to remove illegal miners from water bodies and forest reserves, adding that the fight against galamsey requires collective support from chiefs, residents, security agencies and all stakeholders.
Hon. Hebert Kuah Dickson assured residents that the Assembly remains committed to protecting the environment and maintaining peace and security within the municipality.
In addition,the Western Regional Police Command has arrested six suspect in connection with the death of the victim in a misunderstanding at the mining site.
Meanwhile,the main suspect is at large and the police are doing their best to arrest them in due time.
*Story Jerry Asare
