Politics of Friday, 6 July 2012

Source: GNA

“No war during and after Polls”-Okyenhene

The Okyenhene, Osagyefo Amoatia Oforipanin, has stated that there would be “no war” before, during and after the December polls.

He said the country would continue to enjoy a peaceful environment and Ghanaians would go about their daily chores without any fear.

Osagyefo Amoatia said this when the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr. Victor Smith paid a courtesy call on him at his palace at Kyebi on Friday, as part of his familiarization tour to of the East Akyem Municipality.

He observed that the upcoming election was not the first the country had ever held and Ghana would continue to enjoy the relative peace it enjoyed after all those past elections.

Osagyefo Amoatia advised the electorate to leave polling stations after casting their ballot to avoid any misunderstanding.

Mr. Smith on his part expressed worry over “galamsey’ operations in the area, which he said were destroying water bodies and natural resources.

He said those activities posed a threat to future generations, not only in that area but the country as a whole.

Mr. Smith indicated that under the Minerals Law, all minerals under the soil belonged to government and therefore any one involved in illegal mining was stealing state property.

He warned galamsey operators to desist from their illegal operations to avoid falling foul of the law.

Mr. Smith also advised chiefs who were giving out concessions to “galamsey” operators to desist from those acts else the law will catch up with them.

He assured Ghanaians that the government would make sure the country remained peaceful before, during and after the December general elections.**