Mireku Duker pays working visit to encroached Quarry sites in Afigya Kwabre South and East Districts

The visit was to afford the Hon. Deputy Minister an opportunity to familiarize himself with activities at the various quarry sites in the respective districts and respond to some concerns raised by the quarry operators, particularly the issue of encroachment.

Interacting with members of the quarry Association during the tour, Hon. Mireku Duker motioned for decisive measures against the encroachment of quarry sites across the country.

He said persons and organizations which have building or performing activities in locations of granite without recourse to the appropriate authorities will be dealt with in accordance with the law.

At the Afigya Kwabre East District, Hon. Duker charged the Assembly to institute punitive and long-lasting measures to forestall further encroachment.

“It is really important for us to protect our natural resources. We are all yearning for development projects but how can we do it without our stones. If you encroach, how do we get them? If the assembly wants to build schools and you encroach, how do we resolve that? Where are they going to get the stones?”

“Let’s come together as an association and a country to protect and prevent encroachment on these concessions,” he said.

Speaking to Journalists at the end of his tour, Hon. Duker indicated that the exercise has brought to the fore certain challenges in the industry that needs immediate attention.

He mentioned that the Minerals Commission will urgently investigate the issues of encroachment and take necessary steps to protect quarry concessions nationwide.

Hon. Mireku Duker also rallied Ghanaians against all forms of illegality in the mining sector and stressed that every Ghanaian is duty-bound to protect the country’s Natural Resources.