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The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has commissioned an investigation into an alleged gold smuggling syndicate, discovered in the documentary Joy News.
In addition, the Minister has directed the Precious Minerals Trading Company and the Minerals Commission to contact the Ghana Revenue Authority, the Ghana Airport Company and other relevant state institutions to formulate recommendations for institutional reforms, with the order to plug the gaps in the export of gold.
This was announced by Mr. Jinapor in a media interview when he paid a working visit to the Minerals Commission headquarters in Accra.
The visit allowed the Minister to engage with the Administration and Commission staff on their operational challenges and find ways to improve the quality of service provided to the public.
The Joy News documentary, dubbed ‘Busted: Gold Smugglers’ Cartel Evade Tax, recounted how tons of gold were exported through the country’s airport and seaports, with the help of some security agents, transportation agents and individuals. with political connections.
In 2018, the government announced that US $ 5 billion of Ghana’s gold was exported to the UAE without paying required taxes to the state.
Mr Jinapor said, “The criminal investigation is somewhat and clearly within the purview of the Ghana Police Service and I have activated the jurisdiction and mandate of the Police Service to do the investigation.”
Initially, the Minister asked the Management of the Minerals Commission to decentralize the issuance of gold licenses for mining concessions.
The action, he said, would go a long way towards minimizing illegal small-scale mining, also known as ‘galamsey’.
The Minister recounted some of the successes marked by the Akufo-Addo-led government in its first term in curbing illegal small-scale mining, such as the training of illegal small-scale miners, the introduction of the Community Mining Scheme and the Legislative Framework to tackle the galamsey.
He noted that the fight against galamsey required a multifaceted approach, devoid of partisan politics or propaganda.
Martin Ayisi, Acting Executive Director of the Minerals Commission, on behalf of management and staff, pledged the Commission’s loyalty and sincerity and said they would work harder to achieve the president’s goals for the mining sector.
Some staff members proposed some administrative reforms in the Commission to improve efficiency.
—GNA
