The Chinese government has warned its nationals in Ghana against engaging in illegal mining, backing a crackdown on illegal miners by the Ghanaian government.
The Ghanaian government recently announced that it is cracking down on illegal mining activities, which have caused massive destruction to water bodies and forest reserves in parts of the country.
The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, on Wednesday, said that President Nana Akufo-Addo has ordered the deployment of police and military personnel to various locations where illegal mining is taking place.
The Chinese government has backed this proposed crackdown, warning its citizens to refrain from participating in illegal mining and respect the laws of Ghana.
The Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, Tong Defa, shared Beijing’s position while speaking with journalists in Accra on Friday.
“Chinese nationals in Ghana must respect the laws of the host country. Any act of illegal activity, especially in mining, will not only tarnish the image of China but also lead to severe consequences under Ghanaian law.
“When President Akufo-Addo visited China, the Chinese President told him that if any Chinese citizen violates any law, such citizens should be punished according to Ghanaian laws,” Tong said.
Read: Ghana’s President Forms 5-Member Committee To Combat Illegal Mining