Prez Meets ‘Galamsey’ Chiefs, MMDCES Today Over Menace

President Akufo-Addo is scheduled to address the National House of Chiefs on “the State of Ghana’s extractive sector and the Environment” at Manhyia in Kumasi today.

The President will also address the Regional Ministers in mining areas as well as Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs on the menace.

There is growing public anger and revulsion over the canker which is fast degrading the natural outlook of Ghana’s lands and river bodies.

In a recent visit by the US Ambassador to Ghana, Virginia E. Palmer, the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II said chiefs cannot be accused of allowing illegal mining to thrive when licenses are issued without recourse to traditional authorities.

While questioning the seeming failure of the security agencies to successfully fight illegal mining in the country, the Asantehene acknowledged the economic drivers for illegal mining operations, but indicating that that should not supersede the environmental devastation.

The Asantehene’s comments come on the back of a suggestion by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, that Chiefs, District Chief Executives, regional authorities and opinion leaders are to blame for the worsening state of illegal mining in the country.

According to him, their actions and inactions have significantly contributed to the impunity with which illegal miners destroy forests in search of minerals, despite efforts by the government to halt their activities.

He noted that it was rather unfair for local authorities to feign ignorance when they notice these illegalities happening.

Honourable Jinapor called on all and sundry, particularly local authorities to play an active part in ending the canker once and for all.

For Pressure group OccupyGhana, it is about time President Akufo-Addo declared a state of emergency in all mining areas.

To them, this will help the President and the government to streamline mining activities in the country.

In a press release issued on Monday, it urged President Akufo-Addo to seek advice from the Council of State before publishing a Gazette on same.

“We, therefore, request that you take immediate steps towards declaring a state of emergency in every mining area in Ghana.

Source mypublisher24.com