Though Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, has persistently been warning chiefs in his kingdom not to accept illegal mining in their communities, the practice is still going on in Ashanti Region and the country as a whole. Otumfuo is always concerned about illegal mining because of its negative effect on the environment.
In some of the mining communities, the illegal miners, most of who are foreigners, do not care a hoot about our environment and continue to pollute the water bodies, in addition to destroying our vegetation covers. As a result of this, most of our communities are now relying hundred per cent on the central government to provide them with safe drinking water because the rivers which serve as their source of drinking water have all been polluted.
Trees play important roles for the survival of mankind on Planet Earth. Apart from providing oxygen for us to breathe, trees reduce the amount of storm water runoff, which reduces erosion and pollution. Many species of wildlife also depend on trees for habitat. Unfortunately, our forests are being destroyed by these illegal miners without taking into consideration the important roles trees play in our lives.
Otumfuo, as a traditional ruler, knows these benefits we derive from trees and hence his efforts to stop degradation of our forests by the illegal miners. Unfortunately, some of the chiefs are letting him down, instead of supporting him to fight the menace.
The Chronicle is, however, happy that his second in command in Ashanti Kingdom, Daasebre Osei Bonsu II, the Asante Mamponghene, has not let him down.
According to a story published yesterday by citinewsroom.com, the paramount chief is asking chiefs to remain resolute in standing their grounds to prevent illegal mining in their jurisdiction.
According to Daasebre Osei Bonsu II, he has even strongly challenged government bodies and has succeeded in preventing them from commencing mining activities within his jurisdiction, which he believes could have led to the destruction of the environment.
Speaking at the Christop Heyns African Human Rights Moot Court Competition at KNUST, in Kumasi, he urged traditional leaders to be bold in protecting the environment in their jurisdiction from being destroyed due to some bad mining practices.
“Some of us (paramountcies) have been bold and we’ve stuck our neck and chest out to challenge government-established commissions – minerals commission, etc. Far from sounding boastful, I kicked them out of my kingdom that you can’t come to Mampong to dig any hole where you want gold. I set the pace and now, others, at least within the Ashanti region, the paramountcies, have been bold and assertive in challenging the minerals commission”.
According to him, as a result of the action he took, all major water bodies in his area are clean and they do not face water shortages.
“In Ghana, a good source of drinking water is polluted and gone. But I am happy, come to my kingdom, Mampong, at the hills over there, all the seven sources of rivers, on the left-hand side, on the right-hand side, behind where we have St. Monica, that is five over there, Nananom have bestowed on us clean water flowing from 1st January to 31st December,” the online portal quoted him as saying.
According to the 1992 constitution, the mineral wealth of this country has been vested in the president on behalf of the people. The Chronicle does not, therefore, agree with him that he sacked officials from the Minerals Commission who attempted to introduce mining in the area.
Despite all the negative effects of mining, some of the well-established mining companies are doing legal and proper mining that do not seriously affect the environment.
The state cannot, therefore, deny such mining companies the right to mine. This notwithstanding, The Chronicle is happy that he has taken such a courageous decision to support Otumfuo in fighting against illegal mining. Daasebre Osei Bonsu II, as a well lettered chief, is aware of the dangers starring us in the face should we, as a country, fail to end illegal mining.
It is our hope that other chiefs in Ashanti and beyond will emulate his example by taking the practical steps to stop illegal mining in the country.
