Sandema (UE), May 26, GNA - The Builsa District Assembly held the People's Assembly in Sandema in the Upper East Region at the weekend with a call on the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) to assist in solving the environmental degradation in the area. Mr Thomas Kofi Alonsi, District Chief Executive said the activities of illegal small scale miners, popularly known as "galamsey" were destroying the environment.

The People's Assembly is an occasion used by the government to explain its policies to the people and to get a feedback concerning its leadership.

Mr Alonsi, on behalf of the assembly, chiefs and elders of the area stressed that the situation was getting worse and if not checked, could result in a catastrophe.

He said some few days ago, about six people were trapped to death in the mines when a mine caved in adding that the practice was going on seriously in the Fumbisi and Kadema areas of the District. Mr Alonsi said many young men and women in the district, particularly those in the Fumbisi area were actively involved in the activity and that the environmental degradation it caused was visible all over the place.

Mr Alonsi said the small scale mining was creating tension among interested parties in the Fumbisi area and that it had the potential of degenerating into conflict.

He explained that the District Security Committee upon intensive deliberation, set up a task force to flush out all the miners in the area but some had returned and appealed to the REGSEC to assist in finding a solution to the problem.

Mr Alonsi warned opinion leaders who were condoning and conniving with the illegal miners to desist from the practice. On issues concerning security, the DCE said the district was generally peaceful and free from chieftaincy disputes, land, ethnic and religious conflicts.

He said there were some cases of assault, cattle rustling and burglary which the security personnel were bringing under control. Mr Alonsi noted that through the Ghana Education Trust fund, District Assembly Common Fund, Member of Parliament (MP) Common Fund and the Internally Generated Fund, the district had received a lot of infrastructural development and thereby improving the living conditions of the people.

Mr Alhassan Samari, Upper East Regional Minister expressed worry about the lost of lives and environmental degradation in the area and said the government had voted three million dollars for the three northern Regions to help maintain the environment. He said the government would not tolerate people who would undermine the efforts of ensuring sound environmental practices. 26 May 08