Ban chanfang importation if we want to fight galamsey – DCE

The District Chief Executive for Twifo Atti-Morkwa in the Central Region, Isaac Yawson, is advocating for the ban of the importation of Chanfan, the machine that is used for illegal mining in the country.

Mr. Yawson noted that it is the only way the government can fight against illegal mining in the country.

“If we ban the importation of the chanfan machine, the galamsey activities will stop” the DCE told Onua News in an interview on how he is fighting against the illegal mining menace in the District.

“We should not ban the importation of excavators but chanfang. When the Chinese came and they were using the chanfang on our water bodies, we didn’t know what it was meant for but we later realised their activities were destroying the water bodies. The machine does so many things but the purpose was for galamsey”, he added.

Mr. Yawson said, “if we can ban it, for the next five years, the illegal mining will reduce drastically because the machine is not reparable and even if it is repaired, in no time, it will develop fault again so the only way to fight it is to ban it”.

He explained that it is good government is fighting the menace with police, military, and other security services, but they cannot be there all the time so the moment they leave, the illegal miners will return but with the ban, it will deter people from importing chanfang into the country.

Mr. Yawson explained that the government is not against mining but it is against illegal mining so anyone who would want to enter into mining should secure a proper permit but it should not be done in water bodies. He said the District Security Council is in talks with the youth who are into illegal mining to stop and it has reduced on the Pra River.

Sanitation in Twifo Praso

The DCE said the district had challenges on environmental issues but he is in talks with the Zoomlion for the clearing of the only refuse site in the area which has been in insanitary condition for several years. He said the place has been cleared for proper sanitary conditions in the area.

Education

He said the District has some challenges with educational infrastructure but he will liaise with the Central Regional Education Directorate on how to help with the school infrastructure.
Mr. Yawson said they went for a Thank You Tour to some communities and they saw a sorry state of some basic schools and he will write to Getfund for support and also use the District Assembly Common Fund to begin such projects for the communities.

Rural electrification

He said there are about twenty-nine (29) communities in the District that do not have electricity but he will seek support from the Energy Ministry for their support.
He said this is affecting the livelihood and businesses in these communities which must be tackled head on.

Road
On road, Mr. Yawson said the District has some deficits but was hopeful with the promise from President Mahama during his thank-you tour, most of their roads would be constructed just as he promised to continue the Kasoa-Winneba Junction road to Cape Coast.

Health

Mr. Yawson noted that District Hospital had electricity challenges but through his interventions, the hospital now has electricity.
He noted that his recent unannounced visit revealed the hospital lacks personnel and vehicles but he will contact the Health Ministry and the Ghana Health Service to get them staff and vehicles.

“The hospital has about forty casual workers which drains the hospital’s internally generated funds”, he explained.

 

The post Ban chanfang importation if we want to fight galamsey – DCE first appeared on 3News.

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