The Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission, Mr Martin Ayisi, has stated that his organisation cannot be held responsible for the illegal mining, known as galamsey, occurring just a few meters from the main Konongo-Accra highway in the Ashanti Region.

The mining activities, situated along the Kumasi-Accra highway, are reportedly contaminating the Owere River, which provides water to Konongo and nearby communities. Heavy machinery, including excavators, is being used in close proximity to homes, churches, and businesses.

Speaking on Good Morning Ghana over the week, Mr Ayisi shifted the blame to the District Assembly for not taking prompt action, emphasising that the Minerals Commission fulfilled its responsibilities.

“The Assemblies are not helping us; some of these things wouldn’t happen in certain areas. Let no one blame the Minerals Commission for this. 

“The District Officer of the Minerals Commission has done his job, and I will defend him anytime, any day. He received the intelligence, formally reported it to the Assembly, and we were copied.

“ I asked him for it, and he has done his job, pure and simple. Someone else should have taken it up from there. So the Commission cannot be responsible for this embarrassing situation,” Mr Ayisi explained.

He further added, “If this were happening in a dense jungle or remote area, I might understand, but given that the officer identified the issue and reported it, and the Assembly didn’t act, I believe the Minerals Commission can be absolved of any blame.