The newly-elected president of the Chinese community in Ghana, Tang Hong, has called for a joint collaboration between the governments of China and Ghana to fight illegal mining in the country.

The influx of Chinese miners in Ghana is providing a stern test to the long existing relationship between the two countries.

The small-scale mining sector is a preserve for Ghanaians. However, some Chinese miners have defied legislation by extracting gold in remote parts of Ghana.

Speaking after his inauguration, Mr Wong vowed to continue on-going engagements with the Government of Ghana to address the issue.

“The five fingers are not equal; we are trying to unite them. First of all we are trying to discuss the issue with the Ministries and the Minerals Commission to find a way to legalise and regularise them and secondly we are talking with [our fellow] Chinese people that we have to do everything in Ghana legally; don’t do anything illegal,” he stated, adding: “Ghana is a law-abiding country, a democratic country. We have to obey the laws. As businessmen, we are not involved in any political issues, we are just advising our citizens here to obey the laws”