Constituency women organizers of the ruling New Patriotic Party, NPP, in the Central Region led by their regional women organizer Charlotte Adwoa Antwi have visited the National Women’s Organizer of the party Kate Gyamfua at the Central regional coordinating Council to sympathize with her over the burning of her mining equipment by the military taskforce.
Kate Gyamfua was part of the National officers of the party assigned to supervise the ongoing MMDCE’s vetting in the region which the Women Organizers seized the opportunity to meet her.
It was a sorrowful moment as the Kate Gyamfua wept while the Constituency Women Organizers cry uncontrollably as well
The women’s Organizers further prayed for her requesting for God’s unflinching favor upon her in these trying times and replenish whatever she has lost in bountiful folds.
Kate Gyamfua is the General Manager of Xtra Gold Mining Company Limited. Her mining equipment was however burnt a week ago by anti galamsey military task force for allegedly engaging in illegal mining.
Background
Management of Xtra Gold Ghana Mining Limited has insisted that the company is not engaged in illegality in its operation contrary to claims by the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor.
According to the company, it has all legitimate documents to mine gold adding that, they are mining the mineral according to the dictates of the regulations.
The company has debunked claims that its operations destroying water bodies and forest reserves.
Secretary in charge of Kate Mining Company working on one of the five concessions of the Xtra Gold mining company at Akyem Pameng, Nana Asante Boadi, speaking to the media, said the company complies with all laid down laws governing mining activities in the country.
Some military personnel on Sunday, May 16, 2021, set ablaze 8 excavators, a bulldozer, and dozens of water pumping machines. At least three of the excavators and a bulldozer were brand new machines being used for reclamation.
Detailing the losses, Nana Asante said the military personnel, on Sunday, burnt seven excavators, two bulldozers, five generators, 150 small pumping machines, 250 gallons of diesel among others.
He said the military returned Monday to burn a faulty bulldozer which escaped their notice and large water pumping machines.
He said monitors from the Minerals Commission, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and other regulatory bodies constantly visit their site to check on their activities. He wondered why anybody will claim that the company is engaged in illegalities when it is the same state agencies that gave them the mining permit to continue with their activities.
“Even just a few weeks ago, three armed forces personnel visited this site and appreciated the work we do over here urging us to continue because we are mining properly,” he told the media yesterday.
Court case
The company has, however, served notice that it intends to institute legal action against the government. Ernest Kumi, the spokesperson for the General Manager of Xtra Gold Ghana, Kate Gyamfua of the NPP, told the media that the action by the officials deployed to clamp down on illegal mining activities is in breach of laws governing the mining sector and also in contravention of directives issued by the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources.
“Madam Kate Gyamfua will use all legal means to defend her right and her company as a citizen,” he told the media.
Mr. Kumi also revealed that Ms. Gyamfua will continue to engage government and responsible sector ministers of state to ensure the right thing is done.
Source: Mybrytfmonline.com/Obed Ansah
