Host of ‘As it is in Ghana’ on Rainbow Radio 92.4FM, UK, Sir Richie has taken the Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, Tong Defa, to the cleaners over the latter’s commentary on illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
He described his commentary as “pure stupidity”, which should not have been entertained.
Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, His Excellency Tong Defa, has asked Ghanaians to stop blaming the Chinese for illegal mining and find ways to deal with the situation.
According to him, Ghana “can never eliminate” illegal mining, known locally as galamsey, and must instead find ways to manage its environmental impact.
He made the remarks during an interaction with journalists held at his private residence in Accra on Thursday, June 19, 2025.
He also further claimed that the Chinese are the ones who construct our roads and other projects for us, and every normal Ghanaian should know about this.
“Some of those who were caught red-handed are just migrant workers… I have social media, and when I post on X, people tag me with galamsey as if galamsey is caused by China. It is unfair to me. ‘It is really unfair to me and to the majority of Chinese.’’
He quizzed further. “A lot of your projects are built by Chinese companies. Your roads, your ports, etc., are built by Chinese companies. Do any normal Ghanaian people know about this?”
In response, Sir Richie unequivocally described the Ambassador’s remarks as utterly foolish and stated that had he been in a position of authority, he would have deported him from Ghana.
The host further asserted that the Ambassador’s comments constituted a blatant affront to Ghanaians, warranting a formal apology.
“The commentary by the Chinese ambassador is pure stupidity, and if I had my way, I would have expelled him from Ghana. How dare he say that normal Ghanaians should know that they are the ones who construct our roads for us? What kind of nonsense is that? A cheek of it. This is an insubordination. How can he make the deduction that every normal Ghanaian should see their importance in Ghana?”
Sir Richie went on to state that the government of Ghana must be serious and charge persons employing Chinese in Ghana to engage in these illegal activities with treason.
He added that Ghana has made its hospitality so flexible to the extent that “such an imbecile like you (Chinese Ambassador) will come to Ghana and make such stupid comments and insult the nation Ghana”.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
