Nana Boakye Yam Ababio, Chief of Nkwantakese in the Afigya Kwabre South Municipality, in the Ashanti Region, has urged the government to prioritise the involvement of chiefs in the fight against illegal mining activities in the country.
According to him, the continuous sidelining of chiefs, who are the custodians of the lands, is the reason the fight against illegal mining has been difficult to prosecute over the years.
He also expressed worry over the government’s practice of awarding mining concessions to miners from the national capital without consulting the chiefs, who are the custodians of the lands.
He said the arrangement has emboldened miners to enter concessions without the knowledge or consent of the chiefs.
He noted that chiefs and traditional leaders are partners in development and must be involved to play an active role in any initiative that seeks to enhance the total development of the country and improve the living standards of the people.
Nana Boakye Yam reiterated that the government must recognise traditional authorities as key stakeholders in decision-making that seeks to address social vices and all forms of immorality in order to strengthen society.
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