A leading member of the United Party (UP) has urged President John Dramani Mahama to take disciplinary action against public officials in areas where illegal mining continues, saying enforcement should extend beyond the miners themselves.

Speaking on TV3, he argued that district chief executives, police commanders and other officials should be held accountable if illegal mining is allowed to operate openly within their jurisdictions.

“He must dismiss and prosecute,” he said.

According to him, illegal mining sites are visible in many communities and should not be difficult for state authorities to identify.

“If you go to any area, you don’t need any special intelligence. Just ask the taxi drivers; they will tell you who the site owners are,” he stated.

He also claimed to have observed illegal mining activities taking place near police checkpoints during a journey through parts of the Western Region.

The UP member said the President has an opportunity to make the fight against galamsey a defining part of his administration.

“The people of this country want to see you leave a legacy. That legacy must include dealing constructively and precisely with galamsey,” he said.

He proposed the dismissal of district chief executives and police commanders in areas where illegal mining continues unchecked, followed by prosecution where evidence of wrongdoing exists.

“You fire your DCEs, you fire all the police commanders over there and we prosecute them,” he added.