The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has raised concerns over the invasion of his mining concession at Akropong by illegal miners, causing significant environmental damage.
Speaking during a meeting with the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah at Manhyia Palace, the Asantehene lamented that despite ongoing government efforts to combat illegal mining (galamsey), the menace continues to thrive.
He called for urgent need for stronger policies to curb the crisis, as it not only degrades the environment but also affects the economy.
“The site that was given to me has been invaded by illegal miners. Meanwhile, I had plans to allocate it for proper mining,” Otumfuo said, calling for a multifaceted approach to tackling the issue.
He proposed several measures, including the deployment of security personnel to protect mining concessions, the regularization of small-scale mining, and the creation of alternative job opportunities for individuals involved in illegal mining.
“These children engaged in galamsey need jobs. We need to assist them so they don’t return to illegal mining,” he added.
In response, Minister Armah-Kofi Buah assured the Asantehene that the government is committed to introducing innovative reforms in the mining sector to tackle illegal mining.
“We have laid out a plan to address these issues. We recently established an 18-member national committee and are working on re-categorizing mining classifications. This is part of our strategy to combat illegal mining,” the Minister stated.
The discussion underscores the ongoing challenges in Ghana’s fight against illegal mining and the need for comprehensive and sustainable solutions.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
