Investigative journalist Erastus Asare Donkor has stated our system is so weak in apprehending suspected foreign illegal miners, especially the Chinese.
The decorated journalist asserted that the arrest of Chinese nationals involved in galamsey (illegal mining) has become difficult because some of our soldiers and police officers are profiting from their activities.
Speaking in a recent interview on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, he stated that some officers are being influenced with bribes to let these foreigners go.
‘’ The arrest of Chinese nationals involved in galamsey is difficult. The system we have in Ghana today makes it easier for arrested Chinese nationals to be let off the hook. When you examine the system critically, you will realise that arresting the Chinese is difficult because some of them are willing to offer bribes to be released.
”Recently, when the police arrest the Chinese, they become so excited because they quickly grant them bail so they will run away and get rewarded with bribes. This is the truth. That was how it was. On the ground, when the Chinese are arrested, they are easily let go. Manasseh Azure recently filed a Right to Information request demanding to know the number of Chinese nationals in our prisons, and it was one person whose incarceration had nothing to do with galamsey. I am asking you a direct question: how many Chinese nationals have been arrested in connection with galamsey over the past five years? The moment they are arrested, it becomes an avenue for people to make money, and so that was why the interior minister stated that all arrested Chinese nationals would be deported until we have fixed our system.”
Erastus Asare Donkor was, however, quick to add that ‘’in principle, I don’t support the decision to deport them. We have to arrest, prosecute and put them in jail where necessary, just like the Ghanaian citizens who are arrested and prosecuted for the same criminal offences. The Chinese nationals must also be jailed so they will taste our prison system before they are deported.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana