The Chinese loan wont affect our fight against galamsey – Vice President

The Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, on his arrival today said, the 15 billion dollars financial partnership entered between Ghana and China will not affect the
Nana Akuffo Addo government's fight on galamsey.

According to the Dr. Bawumia, the Chinese government is happy with the crackdown hence will not in any way interfere in Ghana’s decision to end the illegal mining (galamsey) menace.

The Vice President revealed made this known in an interview with the media in the capital, Accra Sunday, June 25, few hours after his arrival from a working visit to China.

Some section Ghanaians have argued that this loan facility from the Chinese government is a plan to derail government’s fight against galamsey which involves a lot of Chinese nationals in the country.

But Bawumia said to the media that the Chinese government does not support galamsey in any way.

Dr. Bawumia said; “I am not sure there is a string attached to this loan facility. This is why I told you that we went to China with our own thinking on how we want the financing model to be. Of course, in any partnership, we presented the case that whatever investment Chinese government or nationals make in Ghana, it is a good thing for them as it is for us. It is always a win-win situation,”.

The Vice President also added that the government had reached an agreement with the Chinese government for the mutual benefit of both countries.

“ They're (Chinese) are very happy with us in our decision to enforce our laws and the fight against galamsey is no respecter of persons regardless of where you are coming from. The Chinese government has demonstrated great support for us in dealing with the galamsey issue” Bawumia stressed.

 He also disclosed that the Chinese government has promised they will be releasing the remaining  Three billion loan facility has been frozen since the era of John Mahama administration.