China's top diplomat in Ghana fought back against people who blame his country for illegal mining problems. Ambassador Tong Defa said Thursday that Chinese people are not the main cause of galamsey activities across Ghana. He spoke to reporters at his home in Accra and argued that local people create most of the trouble. The diplomat feels upset when social media users connect China to mining damage. He thinks Ghanaians should stop pointing fingers at his country for environmental harm.
Defa explained that Chinese workers cannot legally receive mining permits from Ghana's government. Local citizens must help foreign miners break the law and dig for gold without permission. Many Chinese people caught during mining raids work as simple laborers rather than leaders of illegal operations. The ambassador said people unfairly blame all Chinese residents for problems they did not start. He wants Ghanaians to understand that most Chinese people follow the rules.
The diplomat believes Ghana needs better long-term plans to stop mining pollution instead of quick arrests. He thinks small illegal mines will always exist somewhere around the country. Government leaders must create stronger policies that protect water sources and forests from damage. Defa said blaming foreign countries will not solve Ghana's internal problems with corruption and weak oversight. His comments will likely create more arguments about who really controls illegal mining operations.
Defa explained that Chinese workers cannot legally receive mining permits from Ghana's government. Local citizens must help foreign miners break the law and dig for gold without permission. Many Chinese people caught during mining raids work as simple laborers rather than leaders of illegal operations. The ambassador said people unfairly blame all Chinese residents for problems they did not start. He wants Ghanaians to understand that most Chinese people follow the rules.
The diplomat believes Ghana needs better long-term plans to stop mining pollution instead of quick arrests. He thinks small illegal mines will always exist somewhere around the country. Government leaders must create stronger policies that protect water sources and forests from damage. Defa said blaming foreign countries will not solve Ghana's internal problems with corruption and weak oversight. His comments will likely create more arguments about who really controls illegal mining operations.
