Follow Up On Galamsey Arrests, Don't Stop At Arrest - Hon Akwasi Acquah to MMDCES

The Member of Parliament for Akim Oda Constituency and Deputy Ranking Member of the Local Government and Rural Development Committee, Hon. Alexander Akwasi Acquah, has charged District Chief Executives (DCEs) to take keen interest in galamsey cases beyond arrest.

Speaking during a sitting of the Committee, Hon. Acquah said DCEs must not end their work after causing the arrest of illegal miners, but must follow the cases through prosecution to know the outcome.

"We will commend you when you have arrested, or you have caused the arrest of a galamsey operator, but it should not just rest with arrest," he said.

He stressed that once the police take over prosecution, they must give DCEs regular updates so that all stakeholders know they are working together.

Hon. Acquah noted that the President has asked all stakeholders to support the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, and that follow-through is critical to the success of that fight.

"If you just arrest the perpetrators and you leave them to the police, and the police don't come back to you, you are the head of MUSEC, so the police report to you," he stated.

"Your interest should be that this case that has gone to court, what has happened to it?"

He therefore asked the DCEs to find out the status of the cases and update the Committee by Friday, God willing.