The Minority group on the Mines and Energy Committee of Parliament has condemned the alleged manhandling of some Illegal miners arrested on Anglo-Gold Ashanti concession at Obuasi.
According to the group, it has received very disturbing reports on the inhumane treatment meted out to suspected illegal miners arrested by the Military on the premises of Anglo-gold Ashanti, a mining company in Obuasi.
Addressing the press in Parliament on Tuesday, 19 July 2022, the Minority spokesperson on Mines and Energy, John Abdulai Jinapor, indicated that they were well informed that following the arrest of these suspected miners on Friday 15th July, the suspects were subjected to severe torture leading to scores of human rights abuses.
“Though the minority vehemently condemns all forms of illegal mining activities and encroaching, we are equally opposed the use of brute, excessive and disproportionate force in the fight against illegal mining.
“The flagrant disregard for our laws under the Akufo-Addo led Government is most unfortunate and must be condemned in the strongest terms as possible. We find this incident despicable, unfortunate and highly reprehensible,” he said.
According to the Minority, the brut force used by the military against these miners was uncalled for and very discriminatory in the sense that the same level of force has not been deployed in the past against some foreign illegal miners operating in the country.
The Ranking Member on the Mines and Energy Committee, John Abu Jinapor, led the Minority Members on the Committee to condemn the action by Government at a press conference in Parliament on Tuesday, July 19, 2022.
Source: Clement Akoloh||parliamentnews360.com
