OccupyGhana "very disappointed" by Osafo-Maafo comments Aisha Huang

General News of Wednesday, April 24, 2019

Source: Myjoyonline.com

2019-04-24

OccupyGhana is extremely disappointed by the recent statements of Prime Minister Yaw Osafo-Maafo at a public meeting in the United States.

"We are dismayed by the minister's attempt to dilute the government's discretionary power over the expulsion of Chinese Queen Galamsey Aisha Huang, who was being tried for her illegal mining activities in Ghana.

"As a leading member of the government, the prime minister's attempt to justify the absence of legal proceedings against Aisha Huang based on relations between Ghana and China and the prospect of receiving $ 2 billion in Sinohydro Bauxite project disapproves of and disrespects us. this Republic has worked hard to stop illegal mining activities, "said the lobby group in a press release.

According to the group, the Prime Minister's remarks totally contradict the fight against Galamsey and the critical measures taken by the government and the coalition against Galamsey to solve this problem.

"This statement suggests that, at a reasonable price, foreigners involved in the appalling desecration of the environment, waterways and laws of Ghana can be exonerated. It positions foreigners who break / disregard our laws as untouchable and above the law because their countries offer partnerships and economic benefits. It sacrifices the enforcement of our laws and the safeguarding of our environmental resources on the cheap altar of current gain.

"We note that far from expecting their nationals to be exonerated from criminal activities abroad, China is dissociating itself from their actions in similar cases. In Tanzania, according to international media, for example, the famous Chinese "queen of ivory" Yang Fenglan, involved in the illegal trade in elephant tusks, was prosecuted and sentenced to 15 years' imprisonment. years of imprisonment in February 2019. The decision was supported by Beijing and the Chinese government apparently refused to provide any help or support to this Chinese native. "

OccupyGhana said it had closely followed the unfortunate resumption of Galamsey's activities and the continued destruction of Ghana's forest reserves and water resources.

"We have also taken note of the slow progress of the government's efforts to solve the problems and bring justice to our country by government appointees, accused by investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas of engaging in corrupt practices. allegedly corrupt, which compromised the fight against illegal mining. In this context, we are stunned to have learned of the abandonment of the prosecution of Aisha Huang and her expulsion which has deprived and sentenced this country to justice.

"We deduce from everything that has happened before that the government did not intend that Aisha Huang comply with the laws of this country. The reluctance of the government to hold the Queen of Galamsey accountable raised the head when the indictment in the Republic v. In Huang & 4 Others (Case No. CR 344/2017) of May 8, 2017 filed and filed offenses against the accused. this did not correspond to the seriousness of the act of using or being "illegally employed on a small-scale mine site".

OccupyGhana said that it is only in connection with a petition dated May 16, 2017 addressed to the Attorney General 's office that his indictment had been amended.

"In our petition, we asked the Attorney General to slap Aisha Huang charges under Section 99 of the Minerals and Mining Act. Under this law, a foreigner would have been liable to a fine of up to 3.6 million GH ¢ and / or a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years on conviction. We vehemently disagree with the Prime Minister's baseless statement that to subject Ms. Huang to all the wrath of Ghanaian law would have had no economic benefit. 3.6M Ghana Cedis could do more for a robust emergency response system than let her fend for herself, unless the Prime Minister believes, despite the government's concessions to the Sinohydro project, that the Chinese factory is being offered Ghana under philanthropic conditions.

"The Prime Minister's comments are deeply troubling when considered in the light of the facts before us and concerning Aisha Huang. Ghana's relationship with foreign countries and investors should have little to do with the application of the rule of law, the punishment of the perpetrators of serious wrongdoing and the essential deterrent effect that such prosecution have on the acts of other alleged perpetrators. We expect the Prime Minister to withdraw his remarks and apologize without reservation for the same reasons.

"Otherwise, we expect the president's office to dissociate himself from his misrepresentation and to show leadership by calling the minister to an immediate order." Only in this way will we maintain the confidence that remains in this government's desire to put an end to illegal mining activities in Ghana. Yours, for God and the country. "