Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources George Mireku Duker has rejected allegations that he is into illegal mining.
Mireku Duker said he does not have any links to the activities of any form of illegal mining anywhere.
Nana Nyonwah Panyin IV, the Chief of Dompim-Pepesa has alleged that the Western Regional Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, Deputy Lands Minister George Mireku Duker, and the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Chief Executive, Benjamin Kessie, are behind illegal mining in the area.
He said he has incontrovertible evidence of their involvement in the activity in the area.
“I know not of any company but I know of the very people who are behind the operations of ‘galamsey’ in my area. First and foremost the Regional Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah is involved.
The MP for the area, Tarkwa Nsuaem, Honorable George Mireku-Duker is also involved and the MCE, Benjamin Kessie is also involved. I have told you I am not going to disclose my arsenals to you,” Nana told Joy FM.
But in a statement he copied Metrotvonline.com, the Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources brushed off all the allegations the chief leveled against him describing it as “deliberate false”.
He further said the claims made were “needless, baseless, vain and unfortunate” and that it was made against him by his “rival claimant to the Dompim Pepesa Divisional Stool”
George Mireku Duker reiterated his commitment to the fight against the menace destroying water body bodies across the country championed by President Nana Addo Darkwa Akufo-Addo.
“I must indicate that the fight against illegal mining (galamsey) is a herculean task which cannot be won by just pointing fingers at leaders, government appointees among others at various levels in mining districts with the intent of tarnishing their image for political expediency and selfish parochial interest without any fact,” he indicated.
He added, “Government is committed to winning the war against illegal mining and calling on all stakeholders to support government in that regard.”
He also indicated that he has instructed his legal team to immediately “sue the self-acclaimed Chief of Dompim- Pepesa.”
By: Bernard Ralph Adams | Metrotvonline.com | Ghana
