Hon. Dr. Hafiz Bin-Salih, the Upper East Regional Minister, has issued a stern warning to illegal miners at Sapeliga in the Bawku West District to cease operations and immediately vacate mining sites.
He said their operations eroded international boundary lines between Ghana and Burkina Faso, and if not stopped, they would create problems for the two sovereign States.
Hon. Bin-Salih gave the warning when he joined the Ghana Boundary Commission (GhBC) and members of the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) on working visit to Ghana and Burkina Faso land boundary areas at border towns.
The Minister, who chairs REGSEC, described the illegal mining sites as “unpleasant”, and warned them to voluntarily vacate the place as soon as possible.
According to him, the site of the illegal act was a boundary with Burkina Faso and consequently attracted Burkinabés, and considering the extremists activities in that country, it might expose Ghana to the Jihadits.
The Chairman of REGSEC said the Minerals Commission would advertise the place for license holders for proper monitoring and regulations in the enclave.
Prior to the field visit to the illegal mining site, the two countries held the third Joint technical committee meeting on boundary issues in Bolgatanga.
The Minister at the meeting, said the collaboration between the two countries would address various crucial aspects of the bilateral relations with the principal objective to review and validate legal instructions that underpinned the collaborative efforts in boundary management.
“Specifically, we will focus on crucial documents such as the Memorandum of Understanding on boundary reaffirmation which serves as cornerstone for reaffirming our commitment to clearly demarcated boundary in accordance with international laws and resolving any disputes that may arise,” he said.
Hon. Dr. Bin-Salih said a framework would be set up for regular meetings on boundary administrative authorities, adding that it would establish a structured framework for ongoing dialogue and collaboration between relevant authorities from both countries for effective coordination to address administrative matters related to the shared boundary lines.
The Commissioner General of the GhBC, Major General Emmanuel Kotia, indicated that there was too much interference on the shared boundary lines which caused the removal of the international boundary pillars.