Republic V. En Huang & 4 Others – OccupyGhana® Acknowledges Changes In Charges

Republic V. En Huang & 4 Others – OccupyGhana® Acknowledges Changes In Charges

23rd May, 2017

OCCUPYGHANA® PRESS STATEMENT

REPUBLIC V. EN HUANG & 4 OTHERS – OCCUPYGHANA® ACKNOWLEDGES CHANGES IN CHARGES

OccupyGhana® is happy to learn that the charges filed in court in the case of Republic v. En Huang & 4 Others, where the accused persons are alleged to have been engaged in illegal mining in Ghana, have been amended and fresh charges brought, this time under the provisions of the Minerals & Mining Act.

It would be recalled that although the accused persons had been arrested for allegedly being engaged in illegal mining, the charges filed against them in court were relatively minor immigration offences that did not reflect the severity of the alleged acts.

OccupyGhana® consequently obtained a certified copy of the Charge Sheet and immediately petitioned the Attorney-General over the charges, requesting the filing of the proper charges under the Minerals & Mining Act.

OccupyGhana® is therefore gratified that the proper charges have now been filed. It gives the State the opportunity to prosecute for the proper offences and also affords the accused persons the opportunity to defend themselves against those charges.

The fight against galamsey is multifaceted, and it is only when we all put our shoulders to the wheel and occupy our democratic space that things will work.

In this direction, OccupyGhana® would like to commend the Media Coalition Against Galamsey, and other media houses for the collective efforts they are making to bring the menace under control.

We reiterate our earlier call to the Government and all Ghanaians that the fight against illegal mining in Ghana is a fight to protect, not only the present, but the future of this country. It is therefore imperative that the law must be applied to all who fall foul of it, without fear or favour.

Yours in the service of God and Country,

OccupyGhana®

OCCUPYGHANA® Stands With the President on Calling Galamsey Bluff

OCCUPYGHANA® Stands With the President on Calling Galamsey Bluff

1st May, 2017
OCCUPYGHANA® PRESS STATEMENT

OCCUPYGHANA® STANDS WITH THE PRESIDENT ON CALLING GALAMSEY BLUFF

OccupyGhana® is encouraged by President Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo calling the bluff of Galamsey operators in his speech at a durbar of the chiefs and people of Akyem Wenchi last week.
The threat by Galamsey operators not to vote for the NPP in the next general election was meant to frighten the government and the presidency into slowing down on, or abandoning the clamp down on illegal mining.
The President’s outright refusal to compromise on this issue speaks volumes of his desire to be on the right side of history and action in this matter, irrespective of the potential political cost to him or his party.
This is a good example to all Ghanaians.
We have tried, along with our media partners and other well-meaning groups and individuals to bring to the forefront of national debate the egregious effects of this menace on our water bodies, lands, health, our communities and the nation at large.
This is a fight that must be fought together by all Ghanaians and cannot be won without the support of the citizens, the government and, most of all, the President of the nation.
That is why we are pleased at the stance taken and leadership provided by the President in this matter. We hope that the fight against this scourge will continue on an even higher level.
With the President taking the lead and the support of all well-meaning Ghanaians, we will win!

Yours in the service of occupying minds for God and Country
OccupyGhana®