We will support Ghana to fight galamsey – Chinese Ambassador

China has made yet another strong commitment to help the government of Ghana to control the menace of illegal mining properly referred to as galamsey. A number of arable lands have been destroyed by the activities of these illegal miners in addition to the pollution of water bodies and other negative effects. Government declared war on illegal mining in early 2017 banning the operations of small scale miners as it puts in measures to streamline and monitor their activities. Some of the foreign nationals arrested for engaging in galamsey are Chinese. During a courtesy call on the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey last week, Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, Mr. Shi Ting Wang reiterated the position of his government so far as the environment is concerned. He noted that environmental protection is of great importance to China, therefore announcing China’s willingness to work with Ghana to fight illegal mining. Mr. Shi Ting Wang also commended President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for his state visit to China as well as his participation in the Forum for China Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit which was held this year. He assured that China would ensure that all agreements signed between Ghana and China would be of mutual benefit. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey on her part recalled how successful President Akufo-Addo’s state visit to China and participation in the FOCAC were. She also stressed that Ghana would cooperate with China to ensure that all the agreements signed with China benefit both countries. In another development, the Ambassador of Cuba to Ghana, Mr. Pedro Luis Despaigne Gonzalez has assured of his country’s continuous commitment to enhance bilateral relations with Ghana. Ambassador Despaigne Gonzalez made this known when he paid a courtesy call on the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration on Friday, November 9, 2018. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey in her remarks, recalled the long standing bilateral relations between Cuba and Ghana and called for further cooperation between the two countries. She also used the occasion to express her appreciation to Ambassador Gonzalez for facilitating her working visit to Cuba this year. Ambassador Pedro Luis Despaign Gonzalez said the bilateral relations between Ghana and Cuba dating 60 years back has been very fruitful. He indicated that about 3,000 Ghanaians have over the years studied in Cuba and some of the names had been compiled in a book which he presented to the minister. He assured that Cuba will continue to cooperate with Ghana in the health sector, adding that some doctors in the Cuban Medical Brigade would soon arrive in Ghana to provide medical services in some parts of the country. He also assured his country’s support for Ghana’s industrialization agenda. Source: 3news.com | Ghana]]>