As parts of ongoing efforts to decentralise operations of the Minerals Commission, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel A.

Jinapor, has inaugurated an ultra-modern of­fice equipped with the latest technology at Bibiani to oversee operations in the Bibiani/Anhwiaso/Bekwai Municipality of the Western North Region. •Mr Samuel Abu Jinapor (middle) with other dignitaries after the inauguration of the ultra-modern office The newly-constructed office which is a further validation of the government's commitment to decentralisation of the Minerals Commission will see the commission provide effective oversight in the Western North Region and surrounding areas.

The Bibiani Minerals Commission office is the third modernised office unveiled within the last four months.

Works are ongoing for the construction of offic­es in Kumasi, Tamale and Bole with expectations that they will be completed by November 2024.

Addressing a gathering of traditional authorities, management and staff of the Minerals Commis­sion and residents of the district, the Minister underscored the importance of the edifice to the efficient regulation of mining activities in the West­ern North Region.

He outlined specific features of the new office that makes an ideal hub for mining related activities in the area and charged the staff of the commis­sion in the area to live up to the set expectations of the commission. "Despite the importance of this office to the mining industry, it has been accommodated in a very small rented chamber and hall office space for more than 30 years.

This, obviously, imped­ed the recruitment of new staff to augment the work of the office.

The inadequacy of the office became even more apparent following the internal restructuring of the Minerals Commission, which necessitated increasing services at the Regional and District Offices, such as cartography, survey, community relations, environmental protection, among others. "With three large scale mining operations within this municipality at Awaso, Bibiani and Chirano, it became necessary to secure a more conducive working space for the Commission to effectively regulate mining operations in this area, and to provide the full spectrum of mining related moni­toring services, not just for small scale mining, but, also, large scale mining operations, and ensure the successful implementation of the minerals diversi­fication policy through the promotion of econom­ic and industrial minerals.

With two satellite offices in Nkwawie and Juaboso, I have no doubt that this office will live up to its mandate," he said.

Mr Jinapor used the opportunity to reiterate government's zero tolerance for illegal small scale mining, noting that the government had made commitments to rid the mining space of any illegality, particularly mining activities that happen close to forest reserves and river bodies. "I want to use this opportunity to reaffirm government's unflinching commitment to the fight against this canker, which, undoubtedly, threatens our very existence.

This commitment, we have demonstrated through several initiatives such as the declaration of water bodies as Red Zones for mining, the suspension of reconnaissance, prospecting, and/or exploration in Forest Reserves, except in excep­tional circumstances, the introduction of Oper­ation Halt II with the mandate to decommission equipment used in illegal mining, the ban on the manufacture, sale or dealing in changfangs, the in­troduction of mercury-free Gold Katchas, retool­ing of the Inspectorate Division of the Minerals Commission, introduction of the National Alter­native Employment and Livelihood Programme (NAELP), and the training of judges to ensure strict enforcement of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended by Act 995.

Despite these measures, some nation-wreckers, motivated by their own selfish interests, continue to destroy our water bodies and forest reserves.

We are aware that what we are dealing with is money, and the cartels involved will, always, try to find ways of outwitting us.

But we will not relent on our efforts, we will continue to adopt the necessary measures to protect our water bodies, environment and Forest Reserves.

We welcome the various concerns that have been raised by several groups of people, as well as their recommendations for dealing with this matter.

The President of the Republic has con­stituted an Ad Hoc Ministerial Committee, under the Chairmanship of the Minister for National Security, to engage all stakeholders, and to find a common ground to fight this menace.

Yesterday, the Committee met with organised labour, and in the coming days, we will engage with other groups of people to ensure that we come to grips with this matter.

The chairperson of the commission, Barbara Oteng-Gyasi, in her remarks noted that the state of the art edifice was expected to address service delivery challenges that small-scale miners within the Bibiani-Anhwiaso Bekwai Municipality face as well as facilitating the monitoring and compliance role of the commission.

Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi, President of the Na­tional House of Chiefs, commended government for its effort in addressing illegal small scale mining in the country.

He urged traditional authorities across the coun­try to rise up and help save the country's mining resources from the harmful activities of illegal miners.