Lead convener of Democracy Hub, Oliver Barker Vormawor, has questioned the government’s decision to deport foreigners involved in illegal mining, while Ghanaians are jailed for the same offence.
In a social media post on Wednesday, April 9, Mr Vormawor said those involved in galamsey, whether locals or foreigners, must be prosecuted and jailed.
“We want those involved prosecuted and jailed. Why must foreigners be deported but only Ghanaians jailed?” he quizzed.
“Democracy Hub is considering suing the government over its decisions to deport foreigners involved in galamsey,” he added.
His comment follows a recent statement by Interior Minister Muntaka Mubarak announcing a policy to repatriate foreign nationals caught engaging in galamsey instead of prosecuting them.
“When we arrest any foreigner, we are not interested in prosecuting. Our first option is to take them to their country. I have officially written to the Attorney General,” the Minister said at a press briefing in Accra on Friday, April 4.
He added that such individuals would be placed on a stop list to prevent them from returning to Ghana.
