The founder and leader of Mo Mary Prayer Fellowship in Kumasi, Rev. David Armstrong has boldly urged the government to arrest and prosecute chiefs who encourage illegal mining activities to help curb and in the country to help curb the menance the country.
The clergyman noted that. when such decisive action is taken against the traditional authorities who play the key roles to promote illegal mining, iff.thhe mmenannce is nnoot. Completely eradicated would be curbed to benefit the country.
Speaking to the Correspondent iinn an interview Rev. Armstrong observed that while government is making efforts to curb the environmental catastrophe, the current approach seems to lacks the necessary remedy to deter perpetrators.
He pointed to the roles of certain chiefs who are driven by financial greed to allegedly bypass the national mining regulations to lease lands to illegal miners in exchange for huge sums of monies.
Rev. Armstrong expressed deep concern over the hypocrisy displayed by some traditional leaders of the country.
He noted that while these chiefs are fully aware of the legal requirements and regulations surrounding the country’s mining concessions they choose to act as if no laws exist.
It is a matter of lawlessness and greed the same clergyman stated,,adding that the chiefs are aware of the consequences of their attitudes, yet they prioritize their pockets over the nation’s future.
They turn a blind eye to the destruction of our river bodies and forest reserves yet they are often the first people who join the critics to blame government for its failure the to tackle the menance as expected..
The clergyman stated that the impact of the collaboration between the illegal miners and some traditional authorities has been devastating.
According to the man of God, the environmental pollution caused by these operations are beyond description.
The illegal mining, Armstrong said leads to health complications for the communities who live near the contaminated water sources.
Rev. Armstrong reiterated that as long as the beneficiaries of the illegal miners remain untouched by the law the destruction of the country’s natural heritage will continue unabated.
To reverse the trend, the clergyman is urging the government to pursue and prosecute offending chiefs without fear or favor.
He believes that the arrest and prosecution of these influential figures would serve as a deterrent to others t refrain from wrongdoings especially on the issues that boarder on the environment.
Attached picture is Rev. David Armstrong.
