The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has attributed the recent accident involving officials of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the Ashanti Region to an attack by illegal miners.

According to the ministry, a violent confrontation between illegal miners and a joint EPA team—accompanied by journalists—near Obuasi resulted in a road accident that injured several people, including journalists.

Addressing the media during a review of the week’s anti-galamsey operations, the Director of Communications at the Ministry, Ama Mawusi, explained that the incident occurred while the EPA team was carrying out an inspection exercise.

“They were conducting operations around the country, going round to ascertain who was operating these machines and manufacturing floating devices without a permit, and to close down shops. It was on one of these occasions that illegal miners spotted them and decided to attack them,” she said.

She recounted that the illegal miners hurled stones at the team, forcing them to flee the area.
“They were pelting stones at them and things like that. They had to flee for their lives, and in doing so, they had to take another route out of the place. It was in the course of that they got involved in an accident,” she narrated.

Ama Mawusi confirmed that two journalists were initially in critical condition but had since stabilised after receiving medical attention.

“Two journalists were in critical condition but the report I have received this morning indicates that they are quite stable. One had a surgery yesterday. Several others sustained injuries. This incident is unfortunate,” she said.
She added that the Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, Hon. Armah-Kofi Buah, had expressed his disappointment over the incident but assured that the government remains committed to tackling illegal mining.

“Hon. Armah-Kofi Buah, who doubles as the Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, wishes to convey his utmost disappointment at this turn of events and he wishes to make it clear that he remains resolute in his resolve to deal with the matter at hand,” she emphasised.

Meanwhile, the Ministry revealed that the NAIMOS task force earlier on Friday arrested a Chinese national for engaging in illegal mining activities in the Eastern Region.

The suspect has since been handed over to the Ghana Immigration Service for further action.

Sompaonline.com/Prince Atta-Boateng