A convener of the Media Coalition Against Galamsey, Dr Kenneth Ashigbey, has called on President Akufo-Addo to adopt the approach of the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu III to effectively combat illegal mining activities locally known as galamsey.
According to him, the Asantehene has shown leadership worthy of emulation and Akufo-Addo must employ same.
In an interview on Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem Monday, Dr Ashigbey said the devastation continues in parts of the country but the fight has been lost.
“I won’t go far when it comes to the fight against galamsey. Just look at Otumfuo. A leadership who is committed, when he heard that some of his chiefs are involved, he used his traditional judicial systems for investigations and destooled them,” he said.
The Asantehene has destooled several chiefs in the Ashanti region over their involvement in ‘galamsey’.
The latest is the Gyaasehene, Akyeamehene, and Baamuhene who were stripped of their titles and responsibilities during the Asanteman Council meeting held on August 26, 2024, at the Manhyia Palace.
Galamsey has not only caused environmental degradation but also posed significant threats to the health and livelihoods of the local population.
According to Dr Ashigeby, the expectation for government to decisively deal with influential people who have been identified to be involved in the canker has not been met.
He cited the activities of Akonta Mining Limited in the Tano Nimri Forest Reserve owned by Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, the NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman as well as the case of the Bosome Freho DCE, Yaw Danso.
“We expect the people behind this are dealt with decisively. We always push the miners arrested in the pit but what about the influential people, those buying the gold, the machines and those sponsor them? If we had done this, the people involved would have stopped,” he stated.
He also bemoaned the failure of the district and regional authorities to tackle the menace, stating that there needs to be a wake-up call.
“Galamsey is a national problem but the solution is local. Where are the regional ministers, the DCEs and the local authorities?
“The problem we have is that leadership is not taking action. How come the DCEs in the districts close to the Pra and Ankobra met Akufo-Addo and pledged to protect our water bodies but we are still experiencing this devastation?” he quizzed.
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