'We can’t keep 80 Chinese in jail and feed them' – Deputy Interior Minister justifies deportation over prosecution - MyJoyOnline

Deputy Interior Minister Ebenezer Terlarbi has sparked intense public debate following comments on Joy News’ PM Express, where he defended government’s new approach to dealing with illegal mining suspects, especially foreign nationals, by prioritising deportation over prosecution.Mr Terlarbi’s remarks come on the back of a directive by the Interior Minister, Muntaka Mubarak, instructing the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to immediately transfer all regional, divisional, and district police commanders stationed in mining areas. The move is aimed at injecting fresh resolve into the fight against galamsey, which many believe has stalled under the weight of ineffective leadership and entrenched interests.But it was the decision to deport foreign nationals caught in galamsey operations, particularly Chinese citizens, without trial that dominated the conversation. “Let’s be realistic,” Terlarbi said. “You arrest about 80 Chinese, and you have to find a place to keep them, and then sometim...