The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has called on chiefs and traditional leaders to take a leading role in the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
Speaking during his first meeting with the Western Regional House of Chiefs in Sekondi, Armah-Kofi Buah emphasized that his approach is not about replacing small-scale miners aligned with the New Patriotic Party (NPP) with those from the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Instead, he reaffirmed his commitment to eliminating illegal mining and protecting the environment.
The Minister revealed that the government plans to involve chiefs in the mining licensing process, recognizing their influence in local communities. He also appealed for their support in ensuring the success of the anti-galamsey campaign.
“As a son of the soil, I have come here to seek your blessings in navigating the ministry and to ask for your utmost support to help us reset this nation for good and for generations yet unborn,” he said.
Armah-Kofi Buah emphasized that the success of efforts to tackle illegal mining and environmental degradation depends on the active participation of chiefs and traditional authorities.
The chiefs commended Armah-Kofi Buah for his engagement and called for a review of the Community Mines initiative. They proposed transforming it into a genuine community-owned model, allowing local communities to take responsibility for preventing the destruction caused by illegal mining.
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