Mining Inspectors in all nine mining zones in the country have been asked to proceed on leave by Minister of Lands and Natural Resources John Peter Amewu.

The nine, who are officers of the Minerals Commission, were given the marching orders after the Minster toured the galamsey-riddled town of Daboase in the Western Region where a water treatment plant had to shut down due to activities of illegal small-scale mining activities. Other areas that have been decimated by galamsey in the region include Prestea, Dominase, Dwira Takunta and Hiawa.

According to the Minister, the mine inspectors have not lived up to expectation since galamsey has festered under their watch.

Asked in an interview with TV3 if the CEO of the Minerals Commission, Dr Tony Aubynn will also be axed from his job, Mr Amewu said that is a discussion that could be had later but added that there was a certain need to “clean up” the Commission.

Mr Amewu declared war on galamsey after President Nana Akufo-Addo took office in January this year. So far 544 excavators and earthmoving equipment have been withdrawn from galamsey sites as a result of his campaign. He has also given the operators a one-month period to move those equipment from the mines.

Galamsey has resulted in the destruction of major water bodies in the country such as rivers Birim and Pra. Farms and forests have also been destroyed beyond reclamation by the galamseyers.