AROCHA Ghana, in collaboration with other environmental NGOs, is demanding the removal of Eastern South Police Commander, DCOP George Boadi Bossman, and Divisional Police Commander of Kyebi ACP Reynolds Sam, in the Eastern Region over their alleged failure to curb illegal mining in the region.
According to the group, despite collaborative efforts, water bodies continue to be destroyed due to the officers' inability to tackle illegal mining.
At a press conference in Accra on Friday, March 7, AROCHA's Deputy National Director, Daryl Bosu, called for the immediate removal of both commanders. "The failure to enforce illegal mining in the Eastern Region is a clear indication of poor leadership and complacency by both the Divisional and the Eastern South Command all located at Kyebi in the Eastern Region of Ghana. "We also note with regret that communities and CSOs have struggled without success to stop the pollution of River Densu and River Birim as well as several other streams within the Atewa Landscape despite collaboration with the law enforcement agencies in the landscape," he said. "We are therefore calling for a more proactive law enforcement and effective leadership by asking for the immediate replacement of Eastern South Police Commander DCOP George Boadi Bossman and ACP Reynolds Sam, Divisional Police Commander for their inability to curb illegal mining activities in the region," he added.
Furthermore, the group is seeking the replacement of the Executive Director of the Minerals Commission, citing his alleged failure to effectively combat illegal mining. "We call on the government as a matter of urgency to replace the Executive Director of the Minerals Commission with a visionary leader who will usher in a new era of responsible mining.
