Chinese Galamsayers Often Released Over Lack Of Interpreters- Forestry Commission

Chinese Nationals Caught in Illegal Mining Activities Often Walk Free Due to Lack of Interpreters, Forestry Commission Unveils

The Deputy Greater Accra Regional Manager of the Forestry Commission, George Agbenowoshi, has spoken that Chinese Nationals caught in illegal mining activities often released  by court due to lack of Interpreters.

Speaking at a mini ceremony organized by Parliament as part of its activities to mark the 2024 Green Ghana Day, Mr. Agbenowoshi lamented the difficulties faced by district Forestry offices across the country.

He emphasized on  the untimely release of funds and the legal challenges encountered in prosecuting Chinese nationals.

“We have the challenge of timely release of funds for forestry-related activities including plantation activities in our sector and issues sent to court have been there for years without redress.

Issues of mining activities involving Chinese that take an interpreter to translate are often thrown out of court as a result of the lack of an interpreter.”

“We have cases that have been in court for years, and they are still pending because we don’t have the necessary interpreters to translate for the Chinese nationals involved.

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It’s a major challenge for us, and it’s affecting our ability to effectively prosecute these cases,” Mr. Agbenowoshi emphasized.

The lack of interpreters for the Chinese is not the only challenge faced by the Forestry Commission. Mr. Agbenowoshi also bemoaned the inadequate logistics which is negatively affecting its fight against forest offences.

“Logistics such as pickup vehicles and motorbikes for our field operations and activities at the various districts stations are challenging…and that makes it difficult to fight forest offences in our forest reserves.”

The forest offences include illegal mining activities, illegal farming, bushfires, illegal lumbering, illegal logging, and chainsaw activities across the country.

The Commission’s inability to effectively combat these offenses is a major concern, as it threatens the very existence of Ghana’s forests and ecosystems.

The Forestry Commission’s struggles to combat galamsey and other forest offenses highlight the need for increased support and resources to ensure the effective protection of Ghana’s forests.

The lack of interpreters and inadequate logistics are major obstacles hindering the Forestry Commission’s efforts to combat illegal mining activities and protect Ghana’s forests.

“We need urgent support from government and stakeholders to address these challenges. We need adequate funding, logistics, and human resources to effectively carry out our mandate. If we don’t get this support, we will continue to struggle to protect Ghana’s forests,” Mr. Agbenowoshi emphasized.

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