GhanaWeb Feature by Ishmael Batoma The government has faced significant backlash over its decision to deport illegal miners (galamseyers) without first prosecuting them.
This decision, initially announced by the then Minister for the Interior, Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka, was later corroborated by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, and resulted in the deportation of several Chinese nationals caught engaging in illegal mining.
According to a report by citinewsroom.com, a source at the Ministry of the Interior explained that the new approach allows illegal small-scale miners, including Chinese nationals, to be prosecuted in their home countries.
This is due to loopholes in Ghana's justice delivery system, which have allowed some foreigners involved in galamsey to escape justice. "The aim is to ensure swift justice and reduce the risk of recidivism among offenders who manipulate court delays and lax bail conditions," an official of the ministry is quoted as saying.
