GHANA ENVIRONMENTAL JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION

PRESS RELEASE
BEWARE OF ILLEGAL DIAMOND MINING IN AKWATIA
Date: 26th August 2011
The Ghana Environmental Journalists Association (GEJA) will like to commend government and its development partners for reviving the erstwhile Ghana Diamond Company which was closed down in 2007. The Vice president, John Dramani Mahama on Tuesday, August 23, 2011 launched a Ghanaian owned company, The Great Consolidated Diamond Ghana Limited (GCDGL), which is to take over the mining of Diamond at Akwatia and surrounding communities in the Eastern region. GEJA understands the GCDGL intends to establish an integrated diamond mining and processing industry which is to bring on board a management team and consultants with in-depth expertise, knowledge and skills in business, finance and community development. It is also gratifying to note that the Company is to invest about 100 million US Dollars in a five-year multi-phase programme to provide jobs for 2,000 workers and ultimately 50,000 people. While expressing joy over this new development, GEJA would like to caution residents of beneficiary communities to avoid engaging in illegal mining of Diamonds, an activity that can cause serious degradation to the environment. Not long ago hundreds of residents in some parts of the Eastern region suffered from floods, mainly because of the damage caused to the environment by “Galamsey” operations. Lives were lost as a result of the Floods, prompting President Mills to tour some affected areas to commiserate with victims. Efforts have been made by traditional leaders, government officials and other Non-Governmental Organizations to see an end to this illegal mining phenomenon but to no avail. GEJA fears the good intentions of establishing this new company which are to mine Diamond and provide Jobs for the unemployed could be jeopardized if residents continue to adopt bad practices in mining the Diamond, which can destroy the environment. GEJA will like to urge government not to hesitate to arrest and prosecute any individual who engages in “Galamsey” operations in the communities to benefit from this, since that will send a strong signal to all and sundry that the activity is frown upon by the laws of the country. GEJA would however like to urge GCDGL not to renege on its promises to support efforts to alleviate poverty and improve the standard of living of the people by employing the youth of the area and investing in developing the communities. GCDGL should also engage in lawful mining practices and be mindful of activities that can endanger the environment since any destruction caused to the environment could have devastating effect on the people of Akwatia and beyond.
For media interviews please contact, the president of GEJA, Mrs. Hannah Awadzi on 0244547980