The Lands and Natural Resources Ministry says it has intensified security operations in the Savannah Region to ward off illegal miners and prevent further pollution of the Black Volta.
The Ministry is concerned about the effects the pollution at the Black Volta can have on critical infrastructure like the Bui Power and Akosombo Dams if the activities of illegal miners continue.
Deputy Lands and Natural Resources Minister, George Mireku Duker told journalists that security operations have been strengthened in the area to protect the Black Volta. He said that some illegal miners have been arrested and their machines burnt or decommissioned.
“We organised a REGSEC into the place immediately to zero into the place. They did recce and from the report that we received they have been able to arrest some one or two people. Lots of changfan machines were burnt or decommissioned, and we’ve also tasked operation halt II to be patrolling the area.”
“As of yesterday we had a helicopter that was going along the banks of the black Volta, and we believe that it will be secured with the efforts that we’ve put in place. I may not be able to put across our modus operandi but I can reassure Ghanaians that we are in touch with the security agencies, and we will make sure that the Black Volta is protected.”
Mr. Duker spoke during the launch of Community Minning Schemes at Moseaso-Abransie, Banko Camp, and Yaw-Krom-Asamang in the Amansie West District in the Ashanti Region.
He however indicates that the Ministry continues to formulate policies to regulate the mining sector and should not be entirely blamed for the destruction caused to the environment.
“The degradation of our environment is a really bad situation as far as the mining industry is concerned and we have been advocating that how do we get these things resolved. For example, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources is to formulate policies and give some guidelines as to how we can mine. It is not our responsibility even to arrest.”
“But we are in it together, we are one government, so we will try our best as to how best we can coordinate to get these illegal miners arrested. However, it is the collective responsibility of all Ghanaians to clamp down on these recalcitrant persons. And don’t ever think that government alone can ever resolve this. It must be the general consensus in addressing this canker,” he stated.
The Black Stars will open camp in Accra on Monday, November 11, 2024, to begin preparations for their final two 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
Otto Addo’s team will hold their first training session at the Accra Sports Stadium at 5:00 p.m. ahead of the matches against Angola and Niger.
Monday’s training session will be open to the media and fans, but Tuesday’s session will be held behind closed doors, according to the Ghana Football Association.
The team will travel to Luanda on Wednesday and hold their pre-match mandatory training at the Estádio 11 de Novembro.
The match against Angola will take place on Friday, November 15, in Luanda, before the Black Stars wrap up the qualifiers at the Accra Sports Stadium against Niger on Monday, November 18.
Ghana currently sits third in Group F with just two points from four games, and qualification is no longer in their hands.
The Black Stars must win their remaining matches and hope that Sudan, who have seven points, lose both of theirs in order to qualify.
As Ghana prepares for its upcoming 2024 elections, President Nana Akufo-Addo has issued a cautionary message to religious leaders regarding the increasing number of conflicting prophecies surrounding the electoral process. This warning comes at a time when prophetic support for various candidates is gaining visibility, notably for former President John Mahama.
One of the most prominent voices in this discourse is Prophet Clement, a respected spiritual leader known for his influential role in the community. Recently, Prophet Clement has made headlines by publicly declaring that he has received divine revelations affirming Mahama’s victory in the presidential race. He claims to have experienced visions of Mahama triumphing on ten distinct occasions.
In a recent public address, Prophet Clement shared his compelling visions, stating, “I have seen this several times. I saw Mahama’s face being painted with the Ghana map, and he was jubilating.” This vivid imagery has sparked discussions among citizens and political analysts alike, raising questions about the influence of spiritual insight on the electoral process.
The prophet has expressed a sense of divine mandate to pray for Mahama’s success and has indicated his readiness to support any candidate believed to be chosen by God. This endorsement comes at a critical juncture as President Akufo-Addo prepares to step down after two terms in office, following Ghanaian law that limits presidents to a maximum of two terms. This transition sets the stage for a highly competitive election as various candidates position themselves to fill the leadership void.
With the election date drawing near, anticipation is mounting across the nation. Ghanaians are encouraged to actively engage in political conversations that will shape the future of their country. As events unfold, the nation stands at a crossroads, and the outcomes of this electoral process are poised to influence Ghana’s political trajectory for years to come.
President Akufo-Addo’s warning serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between faith and politics in Ghana, urging both clergy and the public to approach the forthcoming elections with discernment and responsibility.
As prophetic backing for Mahama intensifies, many Ghanaians are closely monitoring the political landscape. The discussions surrounding Prophet Clement’s predictions have ignited both interest and debate within the electorate. Citizens are left to ponder the implications of these prophecies: Will Mahama’s candidacy align with the predictions of a certain victory, or could the election result in a surprising shift, bringing a different leader to the forefront?
Black Stars full-back Gideon Mensah has shared details about a potential transfer to FC Barcelona that fell through five years ago due to a breach of confidentiality. In 2019, while Mensah was with Red Bull Salzburg, he was offered a loan move to Barcelona as a backup for Jordi Alba.
However, news of the deal leaked, breaking the confidentiality agreement and ultimately leading to the transfer’s collapse a missed opportunity that Mensah recalls as deeply disappointing.Reflecting on the moment, Mensah said, “I couldn’t resist thinking about the next flight to Spain.
The next day, I saw the news everywhere in Ghana that Barcelona wanted me. So, I called my agent, asking him what happened to keeping it quiet.” His agent was also unaware of how the information got out, which led to the transfer unraveling.
Today, Mensah plays for French Ligue 1 side AJ Auxerre and has earned nearly 30 caps with the Ghanaian national team, the Black Stars.
