The Minerals Commission has expressed worry over the failure of the police to address the growing threat of illegal mining activities popularly known as galamsey.

The Chief Executive Officer, Martin Ayisi, pointed out that galamsey activities are ongoing behind a police station at Anyinam in the Eastern Region.

According to a report by citinewsroom.com, Mr Ayisi disclosed this when he appeared before the Government Assurances Committee of Parliament on Monday, October 7, 2024.

Martin Ayisi expressed frustration over the police inaction, stating, "What the District Assembly has to do is to organise the security forces to stop the activity ahead of DISEC. We have reported several times that people are mining behind the Anyinam Police Station, which we have not permitted. How come the police are not taking action?"

He also emphasised that although all forms of mining in water bodies are illegal, no arrests have been made by the law enforcement agency.

“Anybody who gets into the river bodies is involved in an illegality. If someone gets into the rivers, they go at night, like 10: pm or 11: pm there, and then by 4:am, they fold up."

Martin Ayisi continued, "Once the Minerals Commission reports to the appropriate security agencies that people are working at night, our job ends there. So, I struggle a little bit. Let me use the Konongo as an example. So the District Officer of Minerals Commission goes around to monitor operations; that is his job, and ensure that those who have been licensed follow the law, and some do breach and he chanced upon an activity where people were mining."

JKB/ ADG

Meanwhile, catch up on the latest episode of The Lowdown on GhanaWeb TV with Etsey Atisu and his guest, Chief Alhassan Andani, below: