The Chief of New Denkyira Obuasi, Nana Agyei Nkyere II, has recommended the formation of Task Forces by chiefs in their communities to check illegal mining, which according to him have government officials, soldiers, policemen and pastors deeply involved.
The move, he noted, would help to protect our water bodies and forests for the benefit of future generations and to save them from blame by posterity.
Nana Agyei Nkyere, who expressed concern about the massive destruction of the environment and river bodies, during the observation of the Akwasidae festival, said past governments of both the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have all failed to put a stop to the galamsey menace.
“The fight against galamsey must not be seen as political because it affects every Ghanaian”, he said.
The chief noted that not only has illegal mining activities destroyed the water bodies and degraded our forests, but has also adversely affected the livelihood of the good people.
Nana Agyei Nkyere has, therefore, called on every Chief to take pragmatic steps to complement efforts by the government to ensure that illegal mining activities are stopped.
The Denkyira Obuasi chief, who is also the Adontenhene of the Denkyira Traditional area noted that all Ghanaians, including security officials are neck-deep in galamsey and called on the government to ensure that mining laws are enforced, as it pertains in advanced countries to avoid the current mess.
The Adontenhemaa of New Obuasi, Nana Asiedu Darko, expressed worry about negligence of reclaiming mines sites and leaving mining pits uncovered, a situation she described as dangerous. She called on the government to liaise with chiefs to stop the canker once and for all.
Nana Fobi Donkor, Assemblyman for the area, said the time has come for the chiefs and government to check galamsey and protect the livelihoods of the people.
He said there would not have been lands and rivers as source of drinking water in most cases as well as forests if our forefathers had dissipated and polluted and degraded our water and forestry resources.
