China wants proper treatment of citizens detained in Ghana
China has asked the Ghana government to properly treat its nationals who have been detained for suspected illegal mining activities.
According to China’s Foreign Ministry, about 116 Chinese citizens suspected of engaging in illegal mining have been arrested in Ghana and are set to be repatriated to China.
“Being highly concerned, the Chinese Foreign Ministry and Embassy in Ghana have maintained close communication with the Ghanaian side and asked them to properly handle relevant issues and safeguard the safety and lawful rights of Chinese citizens in Ghana,” Hong Lei’s, spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry said at a daily press briefing June 5, 2013, according to a transcript of the briefings.
Mr Lei added that officials from the Chinese Embassy in Ghana have paid “consular visits to them and asked the Ghanaian side to enforce laws in a civilized way, grant humanitarian treatment to Chinese detainees and guarantee their safety and lawful rights and interests”.
The Ghanaian government has taken an array of clean-up actions against foreigners’ illegal mining activities in Ghana, which involved some Chinese citizens.
The Chinese Embassy, according to Mr Lei, has notified Chinese citizens in Ghana of the situation through various channels and reminded them to abide by local laws and regulations in their work so as to avoid damage to their own security rights and interests.
Ghana is Africa’s second biggest gold producer after South Africa.
By Ekow Quandzie
While I respect Chinese Embassy staff for launching into safeguard mode for ensuring safety and interests of Chinese citizens, it’s a reasonable and just cause to call for the safety, civilized rights and humanitarian treatment of these suspects.
That said, this will be a good opportunity for Ghana to bring to a convincingly public light it’s sincere intent and interests to secure and protect strategic resources from illegal mining and theft.
Regardless of the natural resource, or protected species requiring proper regulation, a nation must be consistent and actively committed to enforcing the laws, protecting the economy and sustaining the environment.
IT IS SAD THAT THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE NDC TOOK POWER WITH MILLS ADMINISTRATION AND STILL CONTINUE. DEEP NIGHT YOU HEAR BULLDOZERS AND TRUCKS HAULING RAW RESOURCES THAT THE GOVERNMENT OWN PEOPLE WERE INVOLVE AND NO ONE CARE AS SOON AS NPP WENT OUT OF POWER. THE MINING COMPANIES WERE EVEN UPSET DURING THE MINING COVENTION IN CANADA WAY BACK IN 2009. SAD THE GOVERNMENT CONTINUE TO ALLOW THIS PRACTICES TO CONTINUE UP TO THIS POINT DISTROYING THE ENVIRONMENT ESPECIALLY FARMS, WATER. THERE IS NO EXCUSE OF THESE BEHAVIER. JUST FOR 3BILLION LOAN FOR LIFETIME ENVIRONMENTAL DAMANGE